Vietnam, RoK hold consultation on ASEAN-RoK relationship coordination

During the consultation, the Deputy Ministers and Heads of SOM of the two countries jointly assessed the RoK’s relations with the bloc since 1989, while agreeing that the relationship has seen enjoyed development across a variety of fields.

Deputy Foreign Minister Seung-bae shared his nation’s priorities in relations with ASEAN moving forward. In order to carry out the enhanced New Southern Policy initiated by Korean President Moon Jae-in, the RoK said it hopes that the two sides will promote co-operation towards peace and prosperity, with a focus on people.

The RoK went on to affirm that it will join ASEAN in stepping up sub-regional co-operation, including the Mekong-RoK Partnership mechanism, thereby contributing to ASEAN's sustainable and inclusive development efforts.

Regarding co-operation in COVID-19 prevention and control, the Korean representative stated that the RoK will effectively implement the initiative on public Health and vaccines, whilst building a vaccine supply network in the region to ensure self-resilience vaccines.

The Korean diplomat used the event to express a great appreciation for Vietnamese priorities given to Korean traders and experts aimed at facilitating easy travel during the pandemic period, whilst proposing that the two sides swiftly resume trade exchanges and effectively support the recovery process.

In response Deputy Ministry Dung hailed the joint co-operation, affirming that this is a trusted and substantive relationship aimed towards peace and stability in the region. He also welcomed the RoK’s New Southern Policy, with Vietnam set to make greater efforts to fulfill its role as the co-ordinator of ASEAN-RoK relations over the next three years.

Welcoming the RoK’s recent timely and effective support of the nation, especially in terms of pandemic prevention and control, Deputy Minister Dung said that the country backs the proposals. Indeed, they will serve as a bridge to connect ASEAN and the RoK in terms of successfully implementing these proposals and working together to bring relations to a higher level.

The Vietnamese diplomat also went on to outline his wish that the RoK would actively participate in forums established and led by ASEAN for the purpose of peace, security, and prosperous development in the region.

With regard to the international and regional situation, both sides agreed to continue to closely co-ordinate in international and regional issues, thereby enhancing dialogues and co-operation, promoting trust building exercises, respecting the rule of law, and responsibly dealing with common security threats.

The two sides expressed their hope that the parties would fully implement the resolutions made by the UN Security Council (UNSC), whilst also shortly resuming negotiations towards a nuclear-free Korean peninsula, for peace and stability in Northeast Asia and the world as a whole.

With regard to the East Sea issue, the two Deputy FMs expressed concern about complicated developments occurring at sea, voicing the hope at building an East Sea of peace and co-operation. They therefore reaffirmed their consistent stance of respecting the law, exercising restraint, not using or threatening to use force, and dealing with disputes through peaceful means in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. 

The RoK representative said he hopes that ASEAN and China will soon reach an efficient and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) suitable to international law and the UNCLOS. 

As part of the occasion, he will attend the ASEAN high-level forum on sub-regional co-operation for sustainable and inclusive growth.