President Rodrigo Duterte of Philippines has called for a constructive political dialogue between the U.S. and North Korean Leaders on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
The summit is due to take place from Nov. 12 to Nov. 13.
Duterte urged Washington to refrain from making threats against Pyongyang.
“Just tell him [North Korean leader Kim Jong Un] that nobody’s threatening him, that there will be no war, and that if he can just tone down or stand down, stop the threats, [it will be] the same for America.
“Assure him that nobody’s after you, and America is not about ready to destroy a generation or a nation of people,” Duterte was quoted as saying by the Manila Bulletin newspaper.
The president stressed that Manila was very concerned about the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The situation on the Korean Peninsula has escalated over the past few months due to Pyongyang’s repeated missile launches and a nuclear test, all conducted in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
In September, the council adopted its toughest resolution against Pyongyang, restricting oil exports, as well as the country’s access to gas liquids, and banning import of textile products from the Asian nation.
The tensions have led to an exchange of threats between Washington and Pyongyang, with Trump threatening to choose a “devastating” military option and “totally destroy” North Korea if forced to defend the U.S..
Kim also warned Washington of the highest level of hard-line countermeasures in history.
NAN reports some 21 heads of state and government will attend the ASEAN Summit to be held in the Philippines.
The list of attendees also include UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres,leaders of the 10 Asean member states, eight members of the East Asia Summit, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Thre are at least four requests to have bilateral talks with President Rodrigo Duterte.(Sputnik/NAN)
