Defence Ministers Gather for ASEAN Meeting in Laos

South Korean Vice Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho will attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-Plus) in Vientiane, Laos, from November 20-22, where he plans to condemn North Korea's military support to Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also participate in the meeting, addressing regional security issues and holding bilateral talks with various counterparts to enhance defence cooperation. The ADMM-Plus includes defence chiefs from ASEAN member states and dialogue partners such as the US, China, and Japan, and aims to strengthen regional security collaboration. New Zealand's Defence Minister Judith Collins emphasizes the importance of engaging with international partners amid geopolitical instability during her attendance. The ADMM-Plus has been an annual event since its inaugural session in 2010, with Laos serving as the chair this year. The meeting presents a critical platform for discussing pressing defence and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.