HA LONG, 16 May 2023 – Senior officials of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea (ROK) reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen strategic partnership and deepen cooperation at the 27th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue held on 16 May.

The meeting noted the good progress made in ASEAN-ROK cooperation over the past year through the implementation of decisions made by leaders in the 23rd ASEAN-ROK Summit in 2022 and the effective execution of the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action (2021-2025). Both sides agreed to continue advancing cooperation to facilitate the post-pandemic recovery in the areas of trade and investment, digital economy, innovation, sustainable development, connectivity, disaster management, environment and climate change, food and energy security, public health, education, and people-to-people exchanges, among others.

ASEAN also welcomed the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI) which aims to build a robust substantive and strategic partnership between ASEAN and the ROK, and looked forward to its implementation for mutual benefit through the eight core lines of effort. ASEAN appreciated ROK’s plan to increase its contribution to ASEAN-related cooperation funds to US$48 million per annum by 2027 as part of the KASI.

The ROK affirmed its support for ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Both sides agreed to further advance cooperation in the four key areas under the AOIP.

The meeting further discussed issues of common interest and concerns including the South China Sea, Korean Peninsula, developments in Myanmar, and the situation in Ukraine.

The 27th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue was co-chaired by Director-General, Acting SOM Leader of Viet Nam Vu Ho and Deputy Director General of ASEAN and South East Asian Affairs Bureau, Acting SOM Leader of the ROK Kim Dong-bae. Senior officials of ASEAN Member States and the Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Political-Security Community attended the dialogue.

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