The North Korean delegation to the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on Wednesday criticized a statement by the forum’s chairman for “severely” distorting the nature of growing tensions on the Korean peninsula.

The chairman’s statement – which cites “grave concern over recent developments in the Korean Peninsula” – was issued Tuesday night after the forum wrapped up on Monday.

The statement described North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile tests as having “resulted in a major escalation of tensions that can affect peace and stability in the entire region and beyond.”

“The claims of the U.S. and some of its followers that