Southeast Asian countries and Australia said on Sunday they held “grave concerns” about escalating tension caused by North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and urged “irreversible” denuclearization. North Korea is pursuing its weapons programs in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions and has boasted of its plans to develop a missile capable of hitting the US mainland. “We strongly urge the DPRK to immediately and fully comply with its obligations under all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions,” the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia said in a joint declaration, using the initials for North Korea’s official name. Tensions have eased in recent weeks, coinciding with North Korea’s participation in the Winter Olympics held in the South last month. US President Donald Trump also announced surprise plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before May, after Kim “committed to denuclearization”, according to South Korea’s National Security Office.

Source: Egypt Independent March 18, 2018 11:26 UTC