North Korea is expected to miss the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum for the second consecutive year, according to South Korean officials.
The decision reinforces Pyongyang’s pattern of disengagement from multilateral security dialogues in the region.
The forum, a key platform for discussing regional security challenges, has seen North Korea’s participation dwindle in recent years.
This year’s absence comes amid heightened geopolitical friction across the Indo-Pacific, including recent clashes in the South China Sea and escalating rhetoric over shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Seoul’s assessment suggests that North Korea’s diplomatic isolation is deepening, with fewer opportunities for direct dialogue with regional partners.
The move may further complicate efforts to address security concerns on the Korean Peninsula through multilateral channels.