PH Calls on DPRK to Make Meaningful Steps Towards Peace in the Korean Peninsula

29 November 2017 — The Philippines today expressed serious concern over the launch of yet another ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Manila, at the same time, lamented Pyongyang’s continued weapons development, which increases tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

“We call on Pyongyang to commit to making meaningful progress towards the peaceful resolution of the issues facing the Korean Peninsula,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said in a statement released today by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“Meaningful dialogue can only happen when the DPRK ceases such provocative and highly dangerous actions,” Secretary Cayetano said as he again called on the DPRK to cease its nuclear weapons development program.

“We also reiterate ASEAN’s readiness to play a constructive role to help reduce tensions and promote peace in the Peninsula,” Secretary Cayetano added.

Under the Philippine Chairmanship, ASEAN issued Foreign Ministers statements in April and August, urging the DPRK to cease its weapons development and return to the negotiating table.

Secretary Cayetano issued his statement after Pyongyang tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that experts say flew higher and further than any other missile the country previously launched. The missile was launched from a facility in Sain ni and landed in an area within the Japan's exclusive economic zone.

“Our Foreign Service Posts in Seoul, Tokyo and Osaka continue to closely monitor the situation and provide up-to-date information to our Filipino communities in these countries,” the Secretary stated.

There are approximately 65,000 and 242,000 Filipinos living in the Republic of Korea and Japan, respectively.

This launch is the fourth such incident involving Japan, following a similar missile test on August 29, which ended with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. This marks the 14th DPRK ballistic missile test for 2017 alone. END