Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s leader, was recently hospitalized for potentially severe reasons. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be coming together to discuss potential protocol if the leader were to pass away.
There would be many effects of Kim Jong-un’s death. One could be civil unrest and instability within the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), a state in an important geopolitical position situated between China and South Korea with nuclear arms and a military. ASEAN will be debating whether outside involvement should be used to prevent and or contain conflict within the DPRK.
Although South Korea’s close proximity calls for prevention of conflict, due to the close proximity, others do not agree. “Intervention, whether politically or militarily will only lead to unnecessary bloodshed, loss, and ignition of global tensions between major world powers” the representative from Laos said.
The issue at hand may also escalate China-U.S. competition due to China’s close connections to the Korean peninsula. This situation could also move into diplomatic and military committees at the United Nations.
In February, ASEAN will face the difficult challenge of setting aside differences in creating unity. The delegates from their respective countries will discuss the outcome of the state of the DPRK.
