Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yoonjoo co-chaired the 28th ASEAN-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 10, and exchanged views with other participants on strengthening ASEAN-ROK cooperation as well as regional and global issues.

※ The ASEAN-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting has been held annually since 1997. Its 28th session was attended by the ROK, the 10 ASEAN countries, the observer (Timor-Leste) and the ASEAN Secretariat. Korea co-chaired the meeting with Thailand, the ASEAN-ROK Country Coordinator for this year.

At the new Korean government’s first foreign ministerial-level meeting with ASEAN, Vice Minister Park expressed appreciation to the ASEAN Member States for their support in the resilience of the Korean democracy and emphasized the new government’s ASEAN-focused approach. Vice Minister Park stressed that Korea and ASEAN should make joint efforts to overcome complex challenges facing them both and cultivate a mutually beneficial and future-oriented relationship. To that end, he suggested strengthening cooperation in emerging security issues including cyber security and disaster management as well as in new areas of growth such as AI, digital transition, green transition and the cultural industry.

※ A signature project on cyber security named the “ASEAN Cyber Shield Project” helps ASEAN countries develop cyber security response capabilities. Korea also supports ASEAN in building capacity for disaster risk reduction and operationalizing the ASEAN standards and certification for experts in disaster management.

※ Signature projects on AI and digital transition support ASEAN’s digital innovation by establishing AI infrastructure, developing human resources, and spreading AI technology. On green transition, Korea supports ASEAN in reducing methane, combatting air pollution, and managing wildfires. Signature projects in the cultural sector include the “ASEAN-Korea Music Festival (ROUND Festival)” and the “ASEAN-Korea Film Community Program.”     

The participants shared the view that ASEAN-ROK relations have developed remarkably across a wide range of areas over the past 30 years. They agreed to work together to strengthen the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and realize the “ASEAN Community Vision 2045” based on the “ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action 2026-30” adopted at the meeting.

※ The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) is the highest level of partnership between ASEAN and its dialogue partners. The ASEAN-ROK CSP was established on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of their Dialogue Relations in 2024.

※ The ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action (POA) consists of action lines on political and security, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation. It is renewed and adopted every five years, and the status of implementation is reviewed annually. The “ASEAN-ROK POA 2026-30” is a guideline for substantive implementation of the CSP.

※ The “ASEAN Community Vision 2045” is a comprehensive strategic document adopted at the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025. It outlines ASEAN’s vision over the next 20 years to forge “a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN Community.”

Regarding the Korean Peninsula, Vice Minister Park stated that the Korean government will work to create space for dialogue and diplomacy by reducing tensions and promoting trust with North Korea, and to secure lasting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and meaningful progress on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. On that note, he asked for ASEAN’s support.