[The Editors' Verdict] "New Southern Policy 3.0" Is Needed

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[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Jong-min] Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Korean Peninsula peace process, a core diplomatic and security policy of the Moon Jae-in administration, has reached its limits. This was expected. The Korea-driven approach to denuclearization of North Korea, pursued by the Moon administration, remains unfinished and will fade into history. The Yoon Suk-yeol administration appears set to establish its North Korea policy by strengthening relations with the United States, redefining relations with China, and normalizing relations with Japan.

In this process, a diplomatic policy that is being sidelined stands out: the “New Southern Policy” targeting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Will the Moon administration’s New Southern Policy also be discarded? Absolutely not.

Unlike North Korea policy or the New Northern Policy, the New Southern Policy had a different significance in its implementation. It was a rare diplomatic policy led by South Korea itself. The necessity for the New Southern Policy was greater for us. We could no longer ignore the ASEAN countries, which have emerged as South Korea’s key trade and investment partners. The number of our citizens traveling to ASEAN countries for business and tourism surged. The shortage of our labor force was supplemented by ASEAN nationals. Diplomats and scholars agree that a turning point in relations was needed.

The achievements through the New Southern Policy are not insignificant. The ambassador to ASEAN, once considered a minor post, was elevated to vice-ministerial level. This effectively established a control tower for policy in the ASEAN region. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) Southeast Asia regional headquarters, previously located in Singapore, was relocated to Vietnam, which has rapidly become a production base for our companies.

The 2019 Korea-ASEAN Special Summit held in Busan, attended by all ten ASEAN heads of state, is also noteworthy. The meeting between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Indonesians residing in Korea, witnessed by the reporter in a hotel lobby in Busan, was not just a gathering of a president and supporters. For those living difficult lives abroad for study or work, it was a source of hope.

The expectations of our expatriates and resident workers living in ASEAN countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia were the same. Their homeland’s interest is connected to their businesses and futures. The South Korean government serves as a strong support for them.

Although interest in Southeast Asian countries, forcibly separated from us by COVID-19, has faded, the reality is different. According to a survey by the Korea-ASEAN Center, Asians in their 20s and 30s residing in Korea trust South Korea more than the United States, China, or Japan. It is clear that once overseas travel resumes, tourists and businesspeople will flock to Southeast Asia.

Therefore, we cannot stop here. Rather, a “New Southern Policy 3.0” is needed to elevate ASEAN countries as true partners. The Moon administration also pursued New Southern Policy 2.0 in 2020, but it fizzled out along with COVID-19.

It is timely to refer to the United States’ stance. U.S. President Joe Biden will hold a special ASEAN summit in Washington next month. This is an event we have held in the past. It reveals an intention to strengthen relations with ASEAN countries to counter China and to establish the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). There may also be a background of consideration for ASEAN countries, which are rich in natural resources.

While the U.S. is doing this, we only see conflicts between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy over organizational restructuring instead of policies. The new government should gain insight into where the interests of our citizens and overseas Koreans lie.

Baek Jong-min, Opinion Editor

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