N. Korea seen skipping ASEAN security forum for 2nd consecutive year

North Korea appears likely to skip a major regional security forum hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the second consecutive year, Seoul officials said, amid Pyongyang's growing focus on ties with Russia and China.

The annual ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), set to take place in Manila later in the day, has long drawn attention as the only multilateral security forum that North Korea regularly attended and that brings together major powers, including the United States, China, Japan and Russia.

North Korea, however, was absent from last year's forum for the first time since joining the ARF in 2000.

Diplomatic sources said the North is likely to skip this year's gathering as well, citing no signs of its participation.

"Pyongyang has not responded to the host country's invitation, and no announcement has been made regarding its attendance," a source familiar with the matter said.

North Korea joined the ARF in 2000, six years after the forum was launched, and had previously participated regularly, either through its foreign minister or ambassadors stationed in Southe ...