The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is considering inviting North Korea's foreign minister as a special guest to an upcoming ASEAN-plus-three meeting of ministers and their counterparts from Japan, China and South Korea, ASEAN sources have said.
The idea, floated by South Korea, has been "quietly discussed" by ASEAN and its three dialogue partners, the sources said Friday.
The plan is to invite Ri Yong Ho, who is expected to attend a foreign ministers' meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Bangkok at the beginning of August, to also take part in the ASEAN-plus-three ministerial meeting in the Thai capital.