Park Jin "Strengthening Strategic Dialogue with ASEAN to Address Regional Challenges"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] On the 4th, Foreign Minister Park Jin stated at the Korea-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, "We will strengthen strategic dialogue with ASEAN to address regional challenges."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In his opening remarks at the Korea-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held at Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Minister Park said, "Our partnership will focus on strengthening strategic relations beyond the economic sector."

The Korea-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting involves a total of 11 countries including Korea and ASEAN members, but Myanmar, where the military seized power through a coup, did not participate in this year's ASEAN-related foreign ministers' meetings.

Minister Park emphasized, "Our government has decided to take a more active role as a global pivotal state contributing to freedom, peace, and prosperity everywhere, including the Indo-Pacific region. In that regard, ASEAN, the core of the Indo-Pacific region, will naturally become the center of Korea's new initiatives."

He added, "In difficult times, ASEAN will always find a sincere and reliable partner in Korea."

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Park introduced the Korean government's Korea-ASEAN Win-Win Solidarity initiative at the meeting and exchanged views on regional and international situations, including the North Korean nuclear issue.

He stated that cooperation needed by ASEAN, such as cyber security and maritime security, will be strengthened and projects to enhance ASEAN's capabilities will be expanded.

Minister Park said, "It is necessary to strengthen cooperation for economic security, such as securing stable supply chains between Korea and ASEAN," and added, "Let us closely cooperate so that the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), which involves several ASEAN countries, can develop into a cooperative body that practically drives regional economic growth."

Regarding the North Korean issue, Minister Park said, "Our government will take a comprehensive and balanced approach to deter North Korea's nuclear threats, dissuade nuclear development, and promote North Korea's complete denuclearization through diplomacy," and requested the support and cooperation of ASEAN countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.