US hit for asking North Korea exclusion from Asian security forum

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

A progressive lawmaker blasted on Saturday the United States for demanding the exclusion of North Korea in Asia’s biggest security forum.

Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate said the US is “once again dictating its “hegemonic” agenda in the Asia region” by calling for the suspension of North Korea from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum (ARF).

“The US is at it again, trying to dictate international bodies to do its imperialist bidding of infringing on other country’s sovereignty,” Zarate said.

Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton earlier called for North Korea’s “diplomatic isolation” as it has violated ARF’s “conflict-prevention means” following its recent intercontinental ballistic missile test.

READ: US wants North Korea barred from Asean meet

President Rodrigo Duterte also criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for conducting such tests despite condemnation from the international community.

“That chubby face that looks kind. That son of a bitch. If he commits a mistake, the Far East will become an arid land. It must be stopped, this nuclear war,” Duterte said.

READ: Duterte rants on  Kim Jong Un: That chubby SOB must be stopped

Zarate urged Duterte to ignore US’ demand and instead pursue an independent foreign policy.

“As things stand, North Korea’s actions are a direct result of US saber-rattling and war mongering in the Korean peninsula,” Zarate said. IDL