US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said that Asian countries should pressure North Korea to end its nuclear program and enforce UN sanctions against the Stalinist country.

Speaking to the representatives at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), she said, “The United States will continue to work through every avenue to persuade North Korea to eliminate its nuclear program and normalize relations with the world.”

Clinton added, “The ASEAN Regional Forum can play an important role in achieving this outcome and for continuing to work vigorously to implement Resolution 1874.

That means denying North Korean vessels access to any trans-shipment points and cooperating with the enforcement of financial sanctions against those designated entities that support North Korea’s efforts to acquire nuclear weapons.”

The ARF is currently meeting in Phuket, Thailand. Attendees include foreign ministers and senior officials from across Asia, Europe and the United States. North Korea also sent low-ranking officials to the forum.

Ambassador-at-large Pak Kun-gwang, head of the reclusive state’s delegation, did not comment on Clinton’s statement but reportedly told Thai officials that he does not want Pyongyang to be a punching bag at the security talks.