US: ‘No plans’ to engage with North Korea at ASEAN event this week | NK News
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October 02, 2026Oct 02, 2026

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US: ‘No plans’ to engage with North Korea at ASEAN event this week

DPRK foreign minister expected to attend ASEAN Regional Forum along with U.S. Secretary of State, says State Department

The U.S. State Department reiterated Washington’s offer to meet and talk with North Korea “anytime, anywhere, without preconditions” on Tuesday, but suggested that the two sides would not connect at a virtual forum this week.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is hosting a series of meetings to discuss regional cooperation and other issues. The U.S., China, South Korea and Russia are among other states in attendance.

North Korea regularly participates in such meetings with ASEAN as well, and the State Department said Monday that it expects North Korea’s foreign minister, Ri Son Gwon, to attend the association’s annual