North Korea signs non-aggression pact (AAP)

North Korea signed a non-aggression pact with Southeast Asia in what officials and analysts said was a sign it wants to be seen as a more responsible international player. The signing came a day after unprecedented talks between foreign ministers of North Korea and five other nations involved in long-running negotiations aimed at ending the reclusive communist state's nuclear programs. A ceremony to mark its accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) took place after the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia's main security dialogue which includes North Korea among its 27 members. Ri Tong Il, North Korea 's foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters that joining the treaty "is a symbol of its willingness to have friendly relations" with ASEAN and of the North's willingness to contribute to regional peace... [read full story]