RoK suggests establishing comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Park Jin on June 16 proposed establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year during his talks with ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn in Seoul.

RoK Foreign Minister Park Jin (R) shakes hands with ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn before their talks at the foreign ministry in Seoul on June 16, 2023

The meeting took place in the context that the RoK has steadily focused on strengthening relations with the 10-member ASEAN, the country's crucial partner for diplomatic and economic cooperation, the RoK's Yonhap News Agency reported.

Park made the proposal to create a new turning point for the development of bilateral ties, as next year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the dialogue partnership between the two sides.

In response, Kao expressed expectations that cooperation between the regional bloc and the RoK will develop further, and called for close cooperation in the process of creating the strategic partnership.

The ASEAN chief arrived in Seoul on June 15 for a four-day visit on his first trip to the RoK since taking office in January./.

VNA