Keynote Speech by H.E. Kim Hong Kyun First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs at the International Conference on ASEAN-Korea Partnership, Novermber 7, 2024

Keynote Speech by H.E. Kim Hong Kyun

First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

at the International Conference on ASEAN-Korea Partnership

Seoul, 7 November 2024

His Excellency Kim Jae Shin

Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre,

His Excellency Saleumxay Kommasith

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao PDR,

His Excellency Russ Jalichandra

Vice Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand,

Her Excellency Astanah Abdul Aziz

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Political-Security Community,

Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,

It is my great pleasure to join you all at this conference to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Korea-ASEAN Dialogue Relations and 15th anniversary of the ASEAN-Korea Centre.

Let me extend my heartfelt thanks to Secretary-General Kim Jae Shin and his dedicated staff for organizing this meaningful conference.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the acclaimed experts and scholars who gathered here to reflect on the remarkable journey that Korea and ASEAN have shared.

We are also delighted to welcome 40 students and young leaders from Southeast Asia, the United States and Korea,

who are joining us as participants in the Youth Camp for ASEAN and Friends' Engagement program here in Seoul this week.

On a personal note, I served as the SOM Leader of the Republic of Korea for ASEAN affairs back in 2015, and was a member of the East Asia Study Group during the early 2000s when the initiative for regional cooperation in East Asia first began to take shape.

Having played a role in deepening ties between Korea and ASEAN,

I am truly gratified and inspired to witness the ever-strengthening Korea-ASEAN partnership.

Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,

This year marks the beginning of a new era for Korea and ASEAN.

Last month, at the ASEAN-ROK Summit in Vientiane, our Leaders announced the elevation of our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Korea is deeply grateful for ASEAN's enthusiastic support, especially from this year's chair, Lao PDR.

My thanks also go to Korea's Country Coordinator, Thailand and its predecessor, Viet Nam.

The establishment of the CSP underscores the mutual importance we place on each other.

In less than three years since President Yoon Suk Yeol took office, we have accomplished a great deal together,

including 37 Summit meetings, 17 Prime Ministerial engagements, and 35 Foreign Ministerial talks.

Economically, ASEAN is Korea's second largest trading partner, while Korea ranks as ASEAN's fifth biggest partner.

Since we first established dialogue relations in 1989, two-way trade has increased 23-fold, reaching $187 billion. Korean investment to ASEAN surged 80-fold to $7.4 billion.

People-to-people exchanges have skyrocketed, rising 37-fold, and surpassing ten million.

Moreover, Korea's Indo-Pacific Strategy, unveiled at the ASEAN Summit two years ago, places ASEAN at its core.

This commitment is further emphasized by the active implementation of the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative, KASI.

Based on this foundation, the timely establishment of the CSP will elevate Korea-ASEAN relations to new heights.

At this year's ROK-ASEAN Summit, President Yoon has emphasized "Together we will write a new chapter in our history, shaping a shared future" and proposed the four concrete ways to achieve this.

First, we should expand strategic security cooperation.

Korea and ASEAN have consistently pursued peace, stability and security in the region.

As Comprehensive Strategic Partners, we can and will do more to advance peace and security for this region and beyond.

To this end, increasing multi-layered strategic coordination and communication at all levels and in all forms is essential.

We have already taken a meaningful step forward in this regard, with the convening of the first-ever in-person ASEAN-ROK Defense Ministers' Meeting later this month.

We have also been strengthening maritime cooperation, including the transfer of decommissioned vessels and logistics supplies.

Last year, the Korean Coast Guard dispatched an emergency response team to the ASEAN region for the first time in its history.

Korea also continues to leverage its capabilities and experience to contribute to enhancing ASEAN's cyber security capacity.

Second, we should promote sustainable development through closer cooperation in digital transformation and climate response.

Building a smarter, greener and connected future must be one of our priorities.

Korea wholeheartedly supports ASEAN's digital transformation, notably through Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Flagship project.

Connectivity cooperation, which has long been a hallmark of our relations, is also gaining greater momentum,

especially in areas of smart cities and smart mobility.

We are also ready to proactively assist ASEAN in addressing the climate crisis and creating new growth engines for prosperity.

Third, we must invest in young and future generations.

The core of Korea-ASEAN relations is, above all, mutual understanding and trust among our peoples.

The Korean government will actively expand various educational and training programs.

We aim to nurture a total of 40,000 future talents from ASEAN countries over the next five years, through a program called the "Inclusive Education Modules Program".

We will also launch a new scholarship program for ASEAN students in advanced fields of science and technology,

building an essential network of future leaders who will be at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution.

Finally, we must remind ourselves that, as long as North Korea's nuclear threat remains, true peace and prosperity cannot be fully realized on the Korean Peninsula and the region.

North Korea is a clear threat to both the ROK and ASEAN.

Last month, North Korea blocked and blew up the inter-Korean roads and railways, stating that its Constitution defines

the Republic of Korea as a "hostile state."

Furthermore, last week North Korea fired an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), while affirming that it "will never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces."

And just 5 days later, it launched ballistic missiles again, adding on to more than 100 ballistic missiles since 2022.

In addition, North Korea remains ready to conduct its 7th nuclear test upon a political decision.

What exacerbates our worries is the deepening illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, from arms transfers to the deployment of North Korean forces to Russia.

These are not only blatant violations of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, but also a direct threat to peace and security of our region and across the globe.

For the peace, stability, and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula, and broader Indo-Pacific region including North and Southeast Asia, ASEAN and the ROK must stand united, sending a clear message that North Korea's provocative and destabilizing acts will not be tolerated.

Despite North Korea's hostile and anti-unification approach, the ROK government remains committed to our vision of a "free, peaceful, and prosperous unified Korean Peninsula" laid out by President Yoon in 'August 15 Unification Doctrine.'

In this regard, we deeply appreciate ASEAN's welcoming of our endeavors to realize a denuclearized, peaceful, and prosperous Korean Peninsula, and respectfully request for your continued attention and support for the 'August 15 Unification Doctrine.'

Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,

Over the past 35 years, Korea and ASEAN have forged a strong partnership, overcoming challenges such as financial crises and a global pandemic.

These experiences have reaffirmed our commitment to building a free, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

I am confident that we will continue to strengthen our ties and grow together for the next 35 years.

To this end, I look forward to the successful launch of a new Plan of Action, POA, under the able leadership of our Country Coordinator, Thailand and the next ASEAN Chair, Malaysia.

Once again, I thank you very much for your participation and look forward to fruitful discussions today.

Thank you. /End/

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