ASEAN - RoK relations to be upgraded

SOM leaders, head of delegations from ASEAN member states and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN attended the event.

At the dialogue, delegates reviewed cooperation, made proposals on orientations and measures to further develop the relationship between ASEAN and the RoK in the time ahead. They also discussed regional and international situations.

Delegates at the 28th ASEAN - RoK Dialogue

Both ASEAN and the RoK emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership to each side and the entire region. Saying that ASEAN is the focus of its regional strategy, the RoK laid stress on its support to the central role of the grouping and affirmed to coordinate with ASEAN to effectively implement the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI).

ASEAN countries hailed the RoK for its proposal on establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN and said that ASEAN is actively coordinating with the Korean side towards this goal on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of ASEAN - RoK relations this year.

Head of Vietnam’s ASEAN SOM Do Hung Viet asked the RoK to continue to support ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea (South China Sea) and efforts to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon finalize an effective, substantive and practical Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

Regarding the preparation for the transfer of the coordinating role of ASEAN - RoK relations to Thailand at the ASEAN - RoK Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) in July this year, the Vietnamese official confirmed that Vietnam will coordinate closely with Thailand in this process, ensuring continuity and efforts to lift the ASEAN - RoK relations to a new height.

Translated by Mai Huong