S. Korea, ASEAN establish comprehensive strategic partnership

Oct 11, 2024, 10:23 am

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President Yoon Suk-yeol holds hands with leaders of ASEDAN member countries during the 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit at the National Convention Center in Laos on Oct. 10, 2024. From left are Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Yoon, and Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone./ Source: Yonhap

AsiaToday reporter Hong Sun-mi

South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Thursday elevated their relations to the highest level, commemorating 35 years of dialogue ties between them.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and ASEAN leaders adopted a joint declaration on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) during their summit in Vientiane, Laos. Yoon has attended the ASEAN Summit for three consecutive years.

“Based on the highest level of partnership, South Korea and ASEAN will write a new chapter in the history of their shared future,” Yoon said at the summit. “South Korea will continue its diplomacy that prioritizes ASEAN and will pursue all-encompassing and comprehensive cooperation as a partner for shared prosperity.”

Both sides agreed to establish a Korea-ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting and expand cooperation in three areas of politics and security, economy, as well as society and culture, such as promoting smart city cooperation. The joint statement included support for maintaining peace in the South China Sea and the “August 15 Unification Doctrine” unveiled by President Yoon on National Liberation Day. The South China Sea-related section is interpreted as keeping China in check, which is actively engaged in military activities in the region.

President Yoon also attended the ASEAN Plus Three Summit. The trilateral cooperative mechanism among Korea, Japan, China and the ASEAN has gained renewed momentum for further growth, as all three East Asian countries have now established CSP with the ASEAN bloc.

Yoon held his first summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. In the first meeting in nine days since the Japanese prime minister took office, the two sides agreed to continue the improved relationship between Seoul and Tokyo.

#South Korea #ASEAN #comprehensive strategic partnership