The Prime Minister proposed three major directions to promote the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

VTV.vn - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed three major directions to promote the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming period.

On October 27th, as part of the second day of the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with other ASEAN leaders and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, attended the 26th ASEAN-Korea Summit.

The Leaders assessed that ASEAN-Korea relations continue to develop dynamically after being upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024. Korea is currently ASEAN's fifth-largest trading partner and seventh-largest FDI investor, with bilateral trade reaching US$208.2 billion in 2024 and FDI from Korea into ASEAN reaching US$7.6 billion.

Countries appreciate South Korea's active and comprehensive participation in ASEAN's specialized cooperation mechanisms, through the 2021-2025 Action Plan, with 95% of its action lines implemented. Specific cooperation initiatives such as the ASEAN-Korea Digital Academy and the ASEAN-Korea Digital Innovation Initiative (KADIF) have helped enhance digital capabilities and nurture digital talents in ASEAN.

In light of the rapid and complex changes in the global and regional situation, the Leaders affirmed their commitment to strengthening relations, consolidating trust, and increasing cooperation for the development and benefit of the people in both regions.

26th ASEAN-Korea Summit - Photo: VGP

Accordingly, ASEAN and South Korea will immediately begin implementing the Action Plan for the period 2026-2030, initiating discussions to upgrade the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) in 2026, which will include additional high-quality areas of cooperation such as the green economy , digital economy, and supply chain integration.

At the same time, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in strategic areas such as digital transformation, innovation, clean energy, strategic minerals, sustainable environment, maritime security, combating transnational crime, and cybersecurity.

President Lee Jae-myung affirmed that South Korea values ​​and supports ASEAN's central role, supports the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), and aligns South Korea's future vision with ASEAN's Vision for a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN Community.

Accordingly, the President proposed ASEAN-Korea cooperation based on three pillars: "Contributing to Dreams and Hopes; A Platform for Growth and Innovation; and Partnership for Peace and Stability." At the same time, Korea will continue to support ASEAN in implementing the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Digital Economy, the ASEAN Power Grid, narrowing the development gap, and strengthening regional connectivity.

President Lee Jae-myung affirmed that South Korea values ​​and supports the central role of ASEAN - Photo: VGP

At the Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared his assessment that ASEAN-Korea relations have entered a new, more strategic and comprehensive phase; emphasizing the need for both sides to strengthen coordination, respond promptly and effectively to challenges, create a favorable environment for sustainable and inclusive development that benefits both sides, and make positive and effective contributions to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

In that spirit, the Prime Minister outlined three major directions to promote the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming period.

Firstly, prioritize strengthening economic, trade, and investment linkages in a green, digital, circular, and sustainable direction; initiate negotiations to upgrade the AKFTA, and expand cooperation into new areas such as the green economy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and supply chains.

The Prime Minister also requested that South Korea strengthen technology transfer, help train high-quality human resources, connect technology businesses, develop AI in renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and green agriculture; support ASEAN businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to participate in supply chains; and cooperate in sub-regional development, including the Mekong-Korea cooperation mechanism.

The Prime Minister outlined three major directions to promote the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming period - Photo: VGP

Secondly, we will deepen cooperation in culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges, develop tourism; promote the heritage economy, creative industries, cultural connectivity, and develop the cultural and entertainment industries (film, photography, music); expand talent training programs and vocational education; and create more favorable conditions for ASEAN citizens to study and work in South Korea.

Thirdly, the Prime Minister emphasized that ASEAN and South Korea need to strengthen their contributions to peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region; ASEAN and South Korea need to jointly uphold their interests and responsibilities in building the South China Sea into a sea of ​​peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that both sides need to strengthen coordination, respond promptly and effectively to challenges, and create a favorable environment for sustainable and inclusive development that benefits both sides. - Photo: VGP

The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam supports the efforts of the South Korean government to resume inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation, and is ready to actively participate in this process to build a peaceful, stable, and prosperous environment on the Korean Peninsula and support the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also wished President Lee Jae-myung and South Korea success in their role as APEC Chair in 2025 in the coming days.

Source: https://vtv.vn/thu-tuong-de-xuat-3-dinh-huong-lon-thuc-day-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-toan-dien-asean-han-quoc-100251027125111222.htm