[The Editors' Verdict] The Moon Administration's Signature Diplomatic Legacy: The New Southern Policy

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] In November 2017, President Moon Jae-in visited Indonesia and announced the New Southern Policy. This November marks the 4th anniversary of the launch of the New Southern Policy.

There were many doubts about the initial New Southern Policy, and the policy seemed to lack momentum. However, four years later, many regard the New Southern Policy as the Moon Jae-in administration's representative diplomatic policy. Of course, every policy has its limitations and evaluations vary. Still, the New Southern Policy can be considered a successful policy with more achievements than limitations and more positive evaluations than negative ones.

The New Southern Policy turned the question marks that ASEAN countries had about Korea’s ASEAN policy into exclamation marks. ASEAN countries have observed Korea’s steady pursuit of the New Southern Policy over the past four years.

President Moon was the first Korean president to visit all 10 ASEAN countries and India. Although the original pledge was to visit them during his term, he achieved this goal early by the end of 2019, just two and a half years in. Riding this momentum, the 3rd Korea-ASEAN Special Summit in 2019 was also successfully concluded.

From 2017 to 2019, a dramatic sequence unfolded on the Korean Peninsula, with rising tensions between North and South Korea and between North Korea and the U.S., followed by summits and then renewed strains. Nevertheless, the New Southern Policy did not lose its way. Even amid the COVID-19 crisis, the policy maintained its momentum and was upgraded last year to the New Southern Policy Plus. This clearly signaled that Korea’s focus on ASEAN would continue and expand.

Continuous policies require a solid foundation. The most important foundation of the New Southern Policy is the positive perception within Korean society. ASEAN is Korea’s second-largest trading partner, an investment destination, and one of the largest construction markets. The New Southern Policy has increased domestic interest and awareness of ASEAN. Questions about why cooperation with the ASEAN region is necessary are no longer raised.

An institutional foundation to steadily pursue ASEAN policies has also been established. The Korean Mission to ASEAN, at the forefront of ASEAN diplomacy, has been significantly strengthened. The status of the mission’s ambassador has been elevated, and personnel have been reinforced.

Reflecting the increased workload and importance of ASEAN affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched the ASEAN Division dedicated to ASEAN issues. Once established, institutions have their own vitality and continue. These institutions form the basis for consistently pursuing policies toward Southeast Asia regardless of government changes.

The achievements of the New Southern Policy are not limited to Korea-ASEAN bilateral relations. Major neighboring countries are paying attention to the New Southern Policy and seeking cooperation. The U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy aims to jointly pursue ASEAN policies with the New Southern Policy.

Under the 3P principles of the New Southern Policy?people, prosperity, and peace?the two countries have been preparing cooperation plans. European countries such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as Australia, also seek cooperation with the New Southern Policy.

Beyond ASEAN and India, many countries want to be included in the New Southern Policy. Korea’s economic growth, democratization experience, successful disease control, G7-level national status, advanced technology, and Hallyu (Korean Wave) soft power make the New Southern Policy even more attractive. More countries want to partner with Korea. This is a source of pride but also a heavy responsibility.

For the author, who studies ASEAN, the biggest topic over the past four years has been the New Southern Policy. The author has researched, promoted, criticized, and proposed new ideas about the New Southern Policy. People around me ask, was it worth it? Absolutely. The presidential election is coming soon. The next government is expected to adopt and further expand the New Southern Policy.

Lee Jae-hyun, Senior Research Fellow, Asan Institute for Policy Studies