PH EXPRESSES GRAVE CONCERN OVER DPRK HYDROGEN BOMB TESTING AS IT LIMITS OPTIONS FOR MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE
03 September 2017 - The Philippines today expressed its grave concern over the detonation by Pyongyang of a hydrogen bomb, saying this seriously undermines peace and stability in the region and degrades options for a meaningful dialogue on issues confronting the Korean Peninsula.
“We are gravely concerned over this hydrogen bomb testing by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said. "Such provocative actions undermine regional peace and stability."
The Secretary, who is now in Seoul on an official visit, issued the statement shortly after Pyongyang announced that it tested a hydrogen bomb at its Punggye-ri nuclear test site.
"Aside from flouting all of its commitments under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, this test limits our available options for meaningful dialogue to address the real issues confronting the Korean Peninsula," Secretary Cayetano said.
"The Philippines urges the DPRK to return to the negotiating table. ASEAN is ready to play a role in creating diplomatic space to effect meaningful dialogue," said Secretary Cayetano, who currently serves as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The Secretary met with Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asia-Pacific Affairs Millicent Cruz-Paredes and Ambassador to Seoul Raul Hernandez to discuss the situation in the Korean Peninsula.
The Secretary also instructed officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul to ensure that the approximately 65,000 Filipinos living and working in South Korea are made aware of the contingency plans that have been prepared in case the situation further escalates.
Secretary Cayetano also met with some 300 members of the Filipino Community in Seoul and assured them that measures are in place to make sure that the Philippine Government could come to their assistance in case it would become necessary for them to evacuate.
Secretary Cayetano also advised Filipinos in Korea to constantly monitor the social media accounts of the Embassy for emergency alerts and advisories.
The detonation this afternoon came a few days after the DPRK launched a ballistic missile that flew over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, prompting Tokyo to issue a missile launch warning to its citizens .
It also came a few days after Pyongyang announced more missile test launches that resulted in Manila joining the international community in calling on the DPRK to avoid taking provocative acts that could destabilize not just the Korean Peninsula but also the rest of the Asia-Pacific Region. END