Geo Dzakwan Arshali (Emerging Leaders Fellow at FACTS Asia) argues that, in this scenario, such steps would carry diplomatic risks under UN sanctions and ASEAN expectations, yet — if tightly scoped to civilian or non-dual-use areas and handled with transparency — they could still give Indonesia strategic leverage while nudging North Korea into broader regional dialogue frameworks. The country has diversified its defense partnerships, with major procurement and industrial cooperation spanning Turkey, France, Italy, and China, and even South Korea; while also maintaining some ties with Russia, India, and the UK. Known for prioritizing sovereignty and non-interference, the bloc has kept diplomatic channels with North Korea open: Pyongyang joined the ASEAN Regional Forum in 2000 and signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2008.
Author: Editor
Published at: 2025-11-09 23:00:00
Still want to read the full version? Full article
