Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: ASEAN and South Korea need to increase contributions to peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region.

ASEAN-Korea Summit

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 26th ASEAN-Korea Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

At the Conference, 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 collaborative initiatives such as the ASEAN-Korea Digital Academy and the ASEAN-Korea Digital Innovation Initiative (KADIF) help 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.

Accordingly, ASEAN and South Korea will immediately implement 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, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in strategic areas such as digital transformation, innovation, clean energy, strategic minerals, sustainable environment, maritime security, transnational crime prevention, cyber security, etc.

In his remarks, President Lee Jae Myung affirmed that South Korea values and supports ASEAN's central role, endorses ASEAN's perspective on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), and aligns South Korea's future vision with ASEAN's vision of 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 springboard 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.

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

The Prime Minister 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.

Secondly , we will deepen cultural and educational cooperation 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.

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, the Prime Minister wished President Lee Jae Myung and South Korea success in their role as APEC Chair in 2025 in the coming days.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-asean-va-han-quoc-can-tang-cuong-dong-gop-cho-hoa-binh-an-ninh-on-dinh-va-thinh-vuong-o-khu-vuc-332402.html