JAKARTA - Teguh Santosa, Director of Geopolitics at the GREAT Institute, believes that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' move to open up opportunities for ASEAN cooperation with North Korea represents a crucial momentum for stability in East Asia.
According to Teguh, ASEAN's approach to Pyongyang can strengthen the regional organization's role as a diplomatic force capable of maintaining geopolitical balance.
"This is the time for ASEAN to engage North Korea for mutual benefit," he said on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, October 26.
He explained that North Korea is currently implementing a major "20 x 10 Regional Development" program to build 200 new cities in 10 years.
This program, Teguh continued, opens up business opportunities for ASEAN countries, including Indonesia.
"Development requires significant resources. ASEAN's economic involvement can have a positive political impact and reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula," he said.
Teguh believes that economic cooperation can be an effective mechanism for reducing aggression and encouraging peaceful conflict resolution.
He also reminded that North Korea–South Korea relations are volatile, but have the potential to improve, as they did during the Kim Dae-jung to Moon Jae-in eras.
"ASEAN needs to revise its prejudices against North Korea and re-engage them in regional forums like the ASEAN Regional Forum, even as a strategic partner of ASEAN+4," he said.
He emphasized that isolating Pyongyang would only worsen the situation.
Conversely, active engagement would create positive interdependence.
Teguh also highlighted Indonesia's strategic position as a diplomatic bridge due to its long-standing relationship with North Korea.
"If we want to build a peaceful and prosperous Southeast and East Asia, engaging North Korea is a crucial step," he stressed.
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