Yoon "Propose Digital and IT Cooperation Projects to ASEAN... Need to Get Korea-Japan-China Cooperation on Track"

President Yoon's Interview with Local Media Before Indonesia and India Visits
Expanding Security Cooperation... "Korea Shares Importance of Rules"

President Yoon Suk-yeol has decided to strengthen practical cooperation between Korea and ASEAN by expanding defense and defense industry cooperation and promoting cooperation projects in the digital and IT sectors. This signifies establishing a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' with ASEAN, rather than a simple dialogue relationship, and he stated, "We must also get trilateral cooperation among Korea, Japan, and China back on track." President Yoon will depart on the 5th to attend the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) related summit in Indonesia and the G20 summit held in India.

Ahead of his departure to Indonesia, President Yoon mentioned detailed cooperation plans in an interview with the local daily newspaper 'Kompas' published that day, saying, "We will continue to expand practical support that ASEAN needs by making ASEAN a key partner."

Ahead of President Yoon Suk-yeol's attendance at the ASEAN-related summit and official visit to Indonesia, an advertisement video titled "Indonesia is a Key Partner for Peace and Shared Prosperity" is being screened in downtown Jakarta.
[Photo by Presidential Office]

In particular, he announced practical cooperation with ASEAN. President Yoon said, "Korea will strengthen practical cooperation that faithfully reflects ASEAN's demands in the economic and socio-cultural fields," adding, "We will also expand mutually beneficial and future-oriented cooperation in security areas such as maritime security, cyber security, defense, and defense industry." He further previewed, "At the Korea-ASEAN Summit, I plan to propose future cooperation projects based on Korea's strengths in digital and IT technology." This is expected to serve as an example of linkage and cooperation between the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative and ASEAN's Indo-Pacific strategy, 'ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific,' expressing the intention to elevate Korea-ASEAN relations to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.'

He also expressed willingness to cooperate with Japan and China. President Yoon said, "Now, trilateral cooperation among Korea, Japan, and China must be put back on track," adding, "To this end, Korea will do its best to revitalize cooperation as the chair country of the trilateral consultative body and as the coordinating country representing the three nations in ASEAN+3." He added, "If cooperation among the three Northeast Asian countries regains momentum, cooperation in ASEAN+3 will gain greater impetus," and "This is expected to further strengthen 'ASEAN centrality.'"

Regarding last month's Korea-US-Japan summit, he emphasized, "Trilateral cooperation among the three countries is not aimed at excluding any particular country or countering any specific force." President Yoon elaborated, "This is clearly stated in Korea's independent Indo-Pacific strategy document," and "The three countries will strive to contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the international community by promoting universal values and a rules-based international order, realizing beneficial outcomes for all countries."

He also called for international cooperation against the North Korean threat, judging that international norms are being ignored due to the Ukraine war and North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. President Yoon said, "The increasingly intense missile provocations and nuclear threats from North Korea pose a direct and existential threat to ASEAN countries as well," adding, "At times like these, Korea and ASEAN must unite to respond firmly and closely cooperate for North Korea's denuclearization."

He also pledged Korea's role in expanding the Indo-Pacific strategy. President Yoon stated, "To alleviate conflicts and confrontations between countries and promote dialogue and cooperation, the values advocated by ASEAN?openness, transparency, and inclusiveness?are becoming increasingly important," and "Korea and ASEAN share the importance of a rules-based international order."

Meanwhile, taking advantage of attending this summit, President Yoon will hold bilateral talks with 14 countries. Additionally, bilateral talks with six more countries are being coordinated to strengthen cooperation systems against North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations and to establish new cooperation foundations in the economic sector.

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