North Korea has promised that Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong will attend the meeting. This year in particular, the ARF members are unlikely to tone down their criticism of the crisis caused by North Korea. The United Nations has on four occasions placed economic sanctions on North Korea for defying international law, though these punitive measures have so far been severely limited. Thailand and Asean must remind Mr Ri and North Korea of the advantages of civilised behaviour within the world community of nations. Thailand can play a leading role in such efforts as North Korea continues to hurtle towards destruction.

Source: Bangkok Post July 31, 2017 21:33 UTC