This year marks the 54th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
On August 8, 1967, foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand gathered in Bangkok, Thailand, to adopt the Bangkok Declaration (ASEAN Declaration) on the establishment of ASEAN – an association of Southeast Asian nations. This heralded to the world the birth of ASEAN.
Its membership later expanded into 10 countries to include Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, thus developing into the association of nations that would greatly facilitate co-prosperity and joint development of the whole region of Southeast Asia.
The foundation of ASEAN constitutes a significant event which enabled the people of Southeast Asia to realize their aspirations and desires to build by united efforts a new society free and equal, free from domination and subordination.
Built on the idea of achieving regional peace, stability and prosperity on the principle of respect for sovereignty, equality and non-interference in internal affairs, ASEAN consolidated its legal and institutional framework as the association of regional nations by adopting and making public several declarations and treaties, including the “Declaration on the Establishment of the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality in Southeast Asia” and “Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia” as well as the ASEAN Charter.
On December 31, 2015, it officially announced the formation of the ASEAN Community based on three pillars – the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). Thenceforth, the role of ASEAN as a regional hub was further strengthened and its international position and influence also enhanced with each passing day.
ASEAN discusses and decides on major regional and international issues and increases its role in resolving regional issues while keeping step with each other and ensuring unity of action among its member states on the principle of consensus.
Today, ASEAN has grown into the fifth largest economic entity in the world with a combined population of 650 million and GDP of US$2.8 trillion, and is successfully achieving the SDGs in every field of the economy, society and culture.
The DPRK, out of its foreign policy ideas of independence, peace and friendship, has always respected and supported ASEAN’s principles of respect for sovereignty, equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of the other country and its activities drawn on these principles.
It is the firm stand of the government of the DPRK to expand and develop, in all fields, the long-standing and traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with the member states of ASEAN.
We sincerely hope that the member states of ASEAN will, in the future, too, hold on to the idea and principles of ASEAN and achieve successes in their concerted efforts to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.
Jong Hyon Chol
Member of Korea-Asia Association
