Asian forum to welcome N Korea

The Association of South-East Asian Nations, ASEAN, says it is ready to admit North Korea to its regional security forum.

All twenty-two existing members of the forum are backing the move, which will mark a softening of attitudes to the formerly isolated state.

South Korea is already a regional forum member -- North Korea submitted an application to join last week.

A statement at the end of a two-day forum meeting in the Thai capital, Bangkok, said North Korea's admission would help advance the cause of regional peace and security.

The statement said ASEAN members welcomed positive developments on the Korean peninsula and expected a positive outcome from the planned summit next month of leaders from both Koreas.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service