N. Korea to send ambassador to ASEAN

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details from 6th para) SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has decided to dispatch a resident ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a Pyongyang news agency reported on Friday. Citing a foreign ministry spokesperson, the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that the decision came as the North has always paid close attention to developments in its relations with ASEAN, which has a long history and tradition. "ASEAN has emerged as a powerful political and economic force promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity on the principle of respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and equality," the spokesperson was quoted as saying. "Prompted by its desire to contribute to the peace and development of Asia and the rest of the world through the development of relations with ASEAN ... the DPRK government decided to dispatch its ambassador to ASEAN to further expand and develop the friendly and cooperative relations with ASEAN as required by the developing reality," the spokesperson said, using the abbreviation of the North's official name. The report didn't elaborate on the details, including the new envoy's name and expected location. The latest announcement came after North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun arrived in Bali, Indonesia, Thursday to attend an ASEAN-hosted regional security meeting. Earlier this week, foreign ministers from ASEAN called for a quick resumption of stalled talks on ending Pyongyang's nuclear program during their meeting in Bali, Indonesia. The top diplomats are also scheduled to meet with their counterparts from the two Koreas, the United States and other regional powers on the resort island on Saturday for an annual meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Asia's biggest security gathering. Founded in 1967 and now headquartered in Indonesia, ASEAN has 10 members -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.