South Korea participated in this year's ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Singapore,... addressing its New Southern Policy and developments on the Korean Peninsula. <br />The U.S. and North Korea exchanged warm welcomes at the security forum... but failed to find harmony over the denuclearization issue.<br />A highly anticipated foreign ministers' meeting between the two Koreas didn't take place either.<br />Lee Jiwon is in Singapore for the latest and filed this report. <br /> The six-day ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings finally came to an end on Saturday, and South Korea's foreign minister, Kang Kyung-wha,... briefed reporters on Sunday about the results of her final meetings in Singapore. <br /><br /> Seoul's top diplomat said some of the key takeaways from her meeting was the support among participating states for the nation's New Southern Policy and for change on the Korean Peninsula.<br /><br /> ASEAN member states promised to passionately engage in multi-dimensional cooperation with Seoul,... and together with key stakeholders in the North Korea issue, they reaffirmed the shared goal of complete denuclearization and permanent peace in the region.<br /> And though Kang did not elaborate on what she discussed Friday night with Pyongyang's foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, when he rejected South Korea's request for bilateral talks,... she said the two did have sincere discussions during their brief encounter at the gala dinner.<br /><br /> "We exchanged brief but honest views about developments on the Peninsula and ways to cooperate. And I think it's helped lay the groundwork for the Panmunjom Delcaration to be carried out."<br /><br /> The chair's statement from the ASEAN Regional Forum has not yet been released,... but many are keeping a close eye on whether it will reflect North Korea's statement, in which Ri said that to move forward, Washington must take a new approach to build confidence... and implement all the points of the joint statement in a balanced, simultaneuous and phased way.<br /><br />Pompeo was reportedly not in his seat during the remarks at the ARF because of his schedule.<br /><br /> And though the much anticipated sitdown between him and Ri Yong-ho did not take place either,... the atmosphere did not seem hostile at all.<br /> The two diplomats, according to Washington Post, had a small chat during the meeting,... in which Pompeo said they should talk again soon,... and Ri replied that there are many productive conversations to be had.<br /><br /> "The U.S. delegates also delivered President Donald Trump's response to a letter he received recently from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, so there seems to be real optimism that the two sides will continue striving to work things out. <br />Lee Ji-won, Arirang News, Singapore."<br /><br /> Meanwhile, North Korea's foreign minister is still in Singapore for his official visit until Monday before leaving for Iran. He is expected to have met with his Singaporean counterpart on Sunday. <br />
