Today is the 54th ASEAN Day in celebration of the establishment of the The Association of Southeast Asian Nations since 1967.
ASEAN is an economic union consisting of 10 South East Asia member countries in initiating intergovernmental corporation and promote regional development in economic, social and politic.
Look who's dressed up for the celebration! The ASEAN Secretariat is ready for #ASEANDAY54 π
Tell us about your preparation for tomorrowβs celebration and share your hope for the Community by using our Instagram filter. Donβt forget to tag us @ASEAN to spread the positivity. pic.twitter.com/CJdSWQxtuT
ASEAN is now comprising of 10 countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The population of ASEAN countries was about 655 million, represented 8.5% of the world population. Total GDP of the member countries increases over the years, remarking the region as a highly potential economic block among the investors.
βWe dare to dream, we care to share, together for ASEAN.β The lyrics have been played proudly for so many times since its debut in 2008. Composed by Mr. Kittikhun Sodprasert, Mr. Sampow Triudom, & Mrs. Payom Valaipatchra, the anthem highlights #ASEAN Identity & Unity.
South Korea is among the first partner countries of ASEAN in promoting closer relationship with other countries. Korea is the first dialogue partner of ASEAN and three special commemorative summits were being held every 10 years. The close bilateral relationship of South Korea to ASEAN enable benefits of both parties in social development, free trade and other economic corporation. The New Southern Policy initiated by the current South Korea President Moon Jae-In helps strengthened the relationship further by 3P concept (People, Peace, Prosperity).
Congratulations @ASEAN the 54th anniversary! Friends and followers, join ASEAN Day! "AUGUST Gathering," publication for the 20th anniversary ASEAN Gallery is also featured during the live streaming. August Gathering publication is supported by ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund. https://t.co/i9NfQGQbR9
On the 6th of May 2021, the 14th CPR+3 (ASEAN plus China, Japan and South Korea Ambassadors’ Meeting) was held virtually co-chaired by the Mission of ROK to ASEAN Ambassador Lim Sungnam.
The meeting has discussed the ASEAN and Plus Three countries’ progress of the APT Work Plan for 2018-2022, especially on the regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery.
What is APT (ASEAN Plus Three) Co-operation Work Plan? This strategy plan serves as a principal to guide the co-operation between ASEAN members with the Plus Three countries over the next five years for the achievement of the long time goal of establishing an East Asia community. In the work plan, the scope of co-operation covers the political & security, economic & financial, and social cultural sector. (read more)
Ambassador Lim Sungnam co-chaired the 14th APT Ambassadors' Meeting held virtually on 5 May. Implementation of the APT Work Plan, the regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the economic recovery were discussed. pic.twitter.com/CPOA05z1jP
— ROK Mission to ASEAN (@ROKASEAN1989) May 7, 2021
Response from other member countries
Glad to attend the 14th CPR+3 Meeting (#ASEAN Plus China, Japan and ROK Ambassadors' Meeting) via videoconΒ today. The meetingΒ reviewed the implementation of APT Work Plan and had in-depth discussion on regional cooperation inΒ #COVID19 responseΒ and economic recovery. pic.twitter.com/tMbPeUXm2H
Tracking back the history back in 1967, when a rising coalition among some of the newest countries after the World Wars was established to promote regional peace, stability and economic growth. After decades, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) connects together all 10 countries in the world southeast region, all agreed on a shared vision of ASEAN, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership of dynamic development and community of caring societies.
ASEAN as the global powerhouse
The ASEAN community that equivalents to 8.58% of the total world population is considered as a global powerhouse, which is the 3rd fastest growing economy block with combined GDP of $2.8 trillion, after China and India. There was over $3.4 trillion global trade transits through ASEAN region each year, making these lands a spotlighted hub of global trade. Before the pandemic hits, ASEAN achieved a collective annual growth of 5% for many years, which was recognized as one of the world’s best performing regions.
The sparks of connection between Korea and ASEAN
ASEAN maintains a global network of alliances and dialogue partners, forming a central union for cooperation in Asia Pacific by involving in different international affairs and hosting diplomatic missions throughout the world.
As one of the closest friends in Asia, the Republic of Korea connected with ASEAN since 1989 as a sectoral dialogue partner. In 1997, ASEAN Plus Three forum was created to coordinate co-operation between members of ASEAN with China, Japan and South Korea in different subjects, including food security, financial co-operation, trade facilitation and many more.
As the 21st century unveiled, South Korea and ASEAN pushed up their relationship with “Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership”Β in 2004. Then, it continued with an agreement of economic partnership through ROK-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement which came effective in 2007. Indeed, the relationship between the Blue House with ASEAN in Jakarta was very ‘intense’, in a good way of course. With all the efforts being implemented by both institutes, ASEAN is now Korea’s second largest trading partner and foreign investment destination. While for ASEAN, it is the fifth largest trading partner and recorded people-to-people exchanges up to 10 million people between both regions.
South Korea as a close working partner of ASEAN
A specialized diplomatic force, The Mission of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN was also established in Jakarta close to the ASEAN Secretariat office, which responsible for advancing ASEAN-Korea relations and cooperation in the year 2012. Also, ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit was held in 2009 and 2019, celebrating the 20th and 30th anniversary of ASEAN-Republic of Korea Dialogue Relationship.
Seeing the development potential of ASEAN, the current South Korea President, Moon Jae In introduced the New Southern Policy in 2017 upon his state visit to Indonesia which aims to uplift relations between ASEAN and Korea for the People, Prosperity and Peace.
With the relationship between the Koreans and ASEAN community up to 3 decades, I believed the relationship and exchanges between both institutes may continue solving hardships and achieve mutual prosperity together in the hard times of pandemic. Just like how the President Moon Jae In addressed during the Korea-ASEAN Summit in 2020:
“It (New Southern Policy) will allow the creation of βpeople centric community of peace and prosperity faster, while leading the way into the post-COVID era.β
President Moon Jae In, South Korea
In the upcoming post of the series ‘Exchanges between Korea & ASEAN’ in MyDaehan, I will share some of the past and ongoing collaboration projects in aspects of economic, culture and politics between each members of ASEAN with South Korea.
More ROK-ASEAN updates & news, please follow MyDaehan.
![[News] South Korea Co-hosted 14th CPR+3 Meeting Virtually](https://mydaehan.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2356c6c5-00de-4ef2-9c17-16f7ab4b9fad.jpg?w=580)
MyDaehan π 