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U.N. chief urges Asian nations to resolve disputes

May 26, 2016

U.N. Secretary-General gives a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity on the southern resort island of Jeju on May 26, 2016.

SEOGWIPO, South Korea, (Yonhap) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Asian nations Thursday to peacefully resolve their territorial and historical disputes to make room for the future.

“Asia must resolve longstanding differences,” he said at a forum on the southern resort island of Jeju. “It is time to agree on borders that are now disputed. And Asian countries must rise above conflicting interpretations of history.”

Ban, who is on a six-day visit to his native South Korea, especially urged South Korea, Japan and China to hold their next trilateral summit as soon as possible. The three countries have unresolved disputes over history and territory stemming from Tokyo’s aggressions against its neighbors in the early part of the 20th century.

“By squarely and humbling addressing the unfortunate past historical issues, they (Asian countries) can focus on the future,” Ban said.

He also raised the issue of the territorial row in the South China Sea, saying he has long called for an agreement between Southeast Asian countries and China to settle their overlapping claims.

“The United Nations is your partner in expanding peace and prosperity across Asia. Progress will depend on confronting challenges,” he said.

The U.N. chief noted that other continents, such as South America, Africa and Europe, have made agreements and organizations to help ease tensions and prevent conflicts.

“I call on all Asian countries to deepen dialogue and engagement,” he said. “There are no winners in violent conflict — only lost generations, greater poverty and deep bitterness.”

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