The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn attended the 20th AEM-Republic of Korea (ROK) Consultation. The Meeting welcomed the implementation progress of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA), including the efforts to address the implementation issues especially those related to the food supply chain in the region. The Meeting also noted the outcomes of the Joint Review Study of the AKFTA and ASEAN-Korea Digital Trade Research that may serve as a reference for possible AKFTA upgrade in the foreseeable future.

During the Meeting, Dr. Kao welcomed the implementation progress of the economic cooperation projects between ROK and individual ASEAN Member States, such as the Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea, and the ASEAN Consultative Committee on MSMEs such as the ASEAN-Korea Startups Partnership.