United Nations headquarters

South-East Asian nations on Friday insisted that North Korea must comply with UN resolutions and international laws in a bid to ease escalating tensions in the Korean peninsula.

The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed “grave concern” over the recent developments on the peninsula, including two nuclear tests in 2016 and recent ballistic missile launches.

“ASEAN is mindful that instability in the Korean peninsula seriously impacts the region and beyond,” foreign ministers from the regional bloc said in a statement.

“ASEAN strongly urges (North Korea) to comply fully with its obligations arising from all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and international laws in the interest of maintaining international peace and security,” they added.

The 10-member group also called on North Korea and all parties involved to “exercise self-restraint in order to de-escalate the tension and refrain from actions that may aggravate the situation.”

The situation on the Korean peninsula has been tense since Pyongyang launched two nuclear bomb tests in 2016 and conducted a number of missile firings.

Officials said the administration of US President Donald Trump was weighing options to deal with the North Korean nuclear programme, including military preparations.

Amid the increased tensions, two Japanese destroyers began a joint drill on Sunday with a group of U.S. warships, including the aircraft carrier “USS Carl Vinson”, in the Western Pacific Ocean.

NAN reports that the UN Security Council has adopted 21 resolutions concerning North Korea.

Five resolutions were adopted during the Korean War in the 1950s.

In 1991, a single resolution was adopted regarding North Korea’s accession to membership in the UN.

Through 1990s to 2010s, 15 resolutions have been adopted in relation to the North Korean missile and nuclear programme, most recently in November 2016.

In the resolution adopted in 2016, the Council prohibited Pyongyang from exporting copper, nickel, silver and zinc, new helicopters and vessels, as well as statues.

It decided further that all Member States shall take steps to limit the number of bank accounts held by diplomatic missions and consular posts, as well as diplomats of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea within their respective territories.

Council also resolved that member states should further close existing representative offices, subsidiaries or bank accounts in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea within 90 days, unless required for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The Council decided further that all Member States shall suspend scientific and technical cooperation with persons or groups officially sponsored by, or representing, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea except for medical exchanges, among others.

(dpa/NAN)