Abe Calls for ASEAN Leaders’ Help to End N. Korean Provocations

November 14, 2017

Manila- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sought on Monday cooperation from the top leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to stop North Korea's missile and nuclear provocations.

"We'll maximize pressure on North Korea in every conceivable way," Abe told a summit with the 10-member ASEAN in Manila.

At the meeting, Abe reiterated that the missile and nuclear development by the reclusive nation has grown into the most critical and immediate threat ever. In replay, a participant from the ASEAN side said that it is a serious threat, according to sources with access to the meeting.

The Japanese prime minister then urged the ASEAN leaders to strictly implement the U.N. Security Council's sanctions resolutions against North Korea.

On the South China Sea situation, Abe welcomed progress in dialogue between ASEAN and China and expressed hope that the two sides will work out an effective code of conduct to prevent a military clash.

"If tensions are lowered, demilitarization (of the sea) will naturally be promoted," Abe pointed out.

Aiming to push forward his initiative to achieve stability and prosperity in areas from Asia to Africa, he requested ASEAN to play leading roles in developing rules-based international order and securing freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, now being militarized by China. Jiji Press