Yoon: "Establishing a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' between Korea and ASEAN... Top-Level Partnership"

Yoon Attends Korea-ASEAN Summit
"Promoting Comprehensive and All-Round Cooperation"
Op-Ed States "Will Be a Reliable Partner"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is heading to his seat while clapping after taking a commemorative photo with the leaders of each country at the Korea-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit held at the National Convention Center (NCC) in Vientiane, Laos, on the 10th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol said on the 10th, "Today, Korea and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) are establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership to further advance their cooperation."

President Yoon made this remark during his opening speech at the Korea-ASEAN Summit held in Vientiane, Laos, stating, "Based on the highest level of partnership, Korea and ASEAN will write a new future history together."

He explained, "While continuing Korea's ASEAN-focused diplomacy, we will promote all-encompassing and comprehensive cooperation as partners in joint prosperity," adding, "The Korean government will expand the common ground for cooperation with ASEAN centered on the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative, which is now in its second year of implementation."

He continued, "We will extend cooperation focused on education and investment into future sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) environments and smart cities," and said, "We will expand human exchanges and educational programs to nurture a future that will lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution."

In an op-ed published in the English-language Laotian newspaper Vientiane Times on the same day, President Yoon also stated, "We look forward to Korea and ASEAN working together as future partners for peace, prosperity, and mutual growth over the next 35 years."

In the op-ed titled 'Korea-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: A Future Solidarity for Peace, Prosperity, and Mutual Growth,' President Yoon emphasized, "The relationship between Korea and ASEAN has developed remarkably based on a mutually beneficial partnership," highlighting achievements such as a 23-fold increase in trade, an 80-fold increase in investment, and a 37-fold increase in human exchanges.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is taking a commemorative photo with Prime Minister Son Say Siphandone of Laos and others at the Korea-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit held at the National Convention Center (NCC) in Vientiane, Laos, on the 10th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon said, "Since taking office in May 2022, I have consistently pursued strengthening cooperation with ASEAN," and emphasized, "Doubling the annual contribution to the three major ASEAN-related cooperation funds to $48 million during my term is an expression of our commitment to support mutually beneficial cooperation through action."

He assessed the current international situation as a critical turning point where geopolitical and geoeconomic complex crises intersect, explaining, "In response to these challenges, Korea and ASEAN, as optimal strategic partners, must be reborn as a future solidarity for peace, prosperity, and mutual growth."

Quoting a Lao proverb, "Where there is a road, there is development," he also promised, "Korea will be a reliable partner in strengthening connectivity among ASEAN countries."

Specifically, he introduced the 'Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Flagship,' which will receive $30 million in funding by 2028, and the 'Korea-ASEAN Methane Action Partnership,' which will receive $19 million by 2026.

Regarding the relationship with Laos, President Yoon said, "Laos has been a solid foundation for the development of Korea-ASEAN relations and will continue to play an important role," adding, "I hope that the breadth and depth of bilateral relations will deepen further on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and Laos next year."