North Korea Signs Non-Aggression Pact With ASEAN

July 24, 2008 9:56 a.m. EST

Singapore (AHN) - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Thursday signed a non-aggression treaty with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the sideline of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Singapore.

North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun inked the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, together with his counterparts from the 10 member-states regional grouping.

With the signing of the pact, the DPRK becomes the 15 nation outside ASEAN to forge the TAC. Under the deal, signatories must accede to the regional code of conduct, encourages peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.

In a statement, Singapore as chair of the regional bloc said, "ASEAN believes that the DPRK's accession to the TAC will strengthen relations between ASEAN and the DPRK, and also help promote peace, security and cooperation in the region."

Ri Tong Il, spokesman for the North Korea's foreign ministry office said the signing of the deal "is a symbol of its willingness to have friendly relations" with ASEAN and a recognition of the North's willingness to achieve regional peace and security. Aside from the 10 ASEAN nations comprising of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the other countries which signed the non-aggression treaty are China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, France, Australia, India, Pakistan, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Mongolia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.