[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) has urged ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries to strengthen economic cooperation with Korea in new technology fields despite the COVID-19 crisis.
On the 29th, KEF held a luncheon meeting with the ASEAN Ambassadors to Korea at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul to discuss post-COVID-19 era economic cooperation between Korea and ASEAN.
KEF Chairman Kyung-sik Sohn said, "The free trade system and global supply chains are being reorganized due to COVID-19," adding, "If Korea and ASEAN cooperate in areas where Korea has strengths such as digital technology, information and communication technology (ICT), semiconductor technology, 5G, and artificial intelligence, synergy leading the global market will be created."
He continued, "I hope the special entry procedures for businesspeople currently implemented in Indonesia and Singapore will be expanded to the entire ASEAN," and requested, "Please support Korean companies that are contributing to job creation and economic development locally."
Additionally, Chairman Sohn expressed gratitude for the support many ASEAN countries showed for Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General election.
In response, Eric Teo, Singapore Ambassador and representative of the ASEAN Committee in Seoul (ACS), said, "Cooperation between Korea and ASEAN is strengthening through the New Southern Policy," and added, "Despite the COVID-19 crisis, ASEAN will remain an attractive investment destination for Korean companies."
Meanwhile, the meeting was attended by ambassadors from 10 countries including Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Thailand, along with Chairman Sohn, Samsung Electronics President In-yong Lee, Hanwha Solutions Vice Chairman Chang-beom Kim, Korea Kolmar Chairman Dong-han Yoon, LG International CEO Chun-sung Yoon, and other KEF executives.
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