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olitical and security issues were at the forefront of the 30th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) as Southeast Asia’s top diplomats released on Friday a strong statement on the situation in the Korean Peninsula, breaking from the soft tone that many consider to be ASEAN’s Achilles’ Heel.

ASEAN foreign ministers expressed the bloc’s “grave concern over the escalation of tension,” noting Pyongyang’s two nuclear tests last year and subsequent ballistic missile launches.

“ASEAN is mindful that instability in the Korean Peninsula seriously impacts the region and beyond,” the statement said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi underscored the possible detriment that an escalation in the Korean Peninsula would cause in Southeast Asia.

“[It] is not too far from Southeast Asia geographically, so if anything happens there we’re certain it will send ripples our way,” Retno told reporters after the meeting in Manila.

Tension in the East Asia region continues to stoke fears as reclusive North Korea insists on continuing tests to develop its nuclear program in utter disregard of strict United Nations sanctions.

ASEAN researcher Ibrahim Almuttaqi of the Habibie Center also noted that Pyongyang effectively held ASEAN citizens hostage during the diplomatic stand-off between North Korea and Malaysia.

Ibrahim lauded ASEAN’s consistency in its statements on the Korean Peninsula affair.

“On the other hand, the fact that this is not the first time that ASEAN has issued a statement could be read that its calls are being ignored and have little impact,” he told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

“Overall, symbolically it may seem like ASEAN is trying to show its teeth, but in reality, this is still within the confines of usual behavior.”

Besides the Korean Peninsula affair, the South China Sea debacle was also a hot topic among ASEAN foreign ministers.

Retno also discussed Indonesia’s meeting with United States Vice President Mike Pence who visited Indonesia April 19 to 21.

As the only ASEAN country visited by Pence, Retno shared what she said was valuable information with her counterparts about the US’ commitment in the region.

The information would bring the member states an equal understanding of US President Donald Trump’s administration and serve as preparation ahead of the ASEAN-US special foreign ministers meeting in Washington, DC next week.

Retno also held bilateral talks with Myanmar and Vietnam.

During a brief meeting with Myanmar’s state minister for foreign affairs, Kyaw Tin, Retno compared notes on the developing situation in Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine state, a suggestion tabled by Indonesia during an informal meeting in Yangon in December.

Indonesia suggested at the time that Myanmar should host regular briefings over developments in Rakhine.

The main reason for the Myanmar meeting was to prepare for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s first ever meeting with Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi Saturday morning.

Retno also met with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh to discuss a number of issues, including the recent high-profile murder of Kim Jong-nam involving Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong in Malaysia.

She said they both compared notes about the case, emphasizing the protection of citizens as the main priority for Indonesia.

“[What’s important is that] a member of the ASEAN Community doesn’t get used as an instrument by other countries,” Retno said.

Both ladies stand trial in Malaysia for the murder of the estranged Kim, half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who died after being wiped with a lethal nerve agent on his face.