SEOUL, 4 April 2024 – Senior officials of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea (ROK) reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the ASEAN-ROK strategic partnership and deepen cooperation at the 28th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue held today in Seoul.
The Meeting welcomed the good progress made in ASEAN-ROK cooperation over the past year, including activities undertaken to follow up on the Leaders’ decisions at the 24th ASEAN-ROK Summit in September 2023 and the substantive implementation of the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action 2021-2025.
Moving forward, the two sides stressed the need to continue enhancing cooperation in various areas, including trade and investment through the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area, digital innovation, cyber security, clean energy, sustainable development, TVET, education, disaster management, environment and climate change, smart city, connectivity, culture and people-to-people exchanges, and capacity building.
The ROK expressed support for Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year, including the implementation of priorities under the theme of “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”.
ASEAN welcomed the ROK’s continuous support for ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN Community-building efforts, and its commitment to strengthening cooperation with ASEAN through initiatives under the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI).
The Meeting highlighted the importance of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) as a guide for broader regional cooperation. The two sides agreed to enhance practical cooperation in the priority areas under the AOIP, including maritime cooperation, connectivity, and sustainable development goals, in line with the Joint Statement on Cooperation on the AOIP adopted at the 24th ASEAN-ROK Summit last year.
The two sides welcomed the celebration of the 35th Anniversary of ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations this year. In conjunction with this milestone, the Meeting welcomed the ROK’s proposal for the elevation of the relationship to ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) which would reflect the strength and scope of the partnership.
ASEAN Member States and the ROK also exchanged views on issues of common interest and concern, including situations and developments in the South China Sea, Korean Peninsula, Myanmar, Ukraine and the Middle East.
The 28th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, SOM Leader of Viet Nam Do Hung Viet and Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, SOM Leader of the ROK Chung Byung-won. It was attended by senior officials of ASEAN Member States, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, and Timor-Leste as Observer.
