At the event celebrating the 35th anniversary of ASEAN and South Korea establishing relations (1989-2024), Ambassador Lee Jang Keun expressed confidence that strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and South Korea will contribute to sharing commonalities, working towards, and achieving shared development goals, thereby contributing to global progress.

Ambassador Lee Jang Keun stated that South Korea is prepared and eager to continue as ASEAN’s Strategic Partner through the ASEAN Community Vision and by reinforcing action plans to achieve this, including business strategies as a Strategic Partner.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn also made important remarks on ASEAN-South Korea relations over the past 35 years. According to the Secretary-General, ASEAN and South Korea have cooperated in various fields, including political-security, economy, trade, investment, and socio-cultural exchange. The collaboration efforts over the past 35 years have not only strengthened the bilateral relationship but also contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

For ASEAN, South Korea is currently one of its most important dialogue partners, the fifth-largest trade partner, and the sixth-largest source of foreign investment. South Korea has consistently supported initiatives for the ASEAN Center and Community Building, creating avenues for cooperative projects that bring tangible benefits to ASEAN’s people and economies.

The achievements in ASEAN-South Korea cooperation over the past 35 years have laid a solid foundation for advancing their partnership. In particular, the Joint Statement establishing the ASEAN-South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Vientiane, Laos, in October 2024, marks a new milestone in their relations on the 35th anniversary of their establishment.

Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn commended South Korea’s commitment under the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI). He affirmed that this aims to increase contributions to ASEAN-related cooperation funds to $48 million annually by 2027 and to support more cooperative projects in the coming years. Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn expressed confidence that the ASEAN-South Korea partnership will continue to thrive, fostering even closer ties among the people and promoting sustainable development throughout the region.

As part of the activities celebrating the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-ROK dialogue relations, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn visited Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia in Bekasi Regency, West Java, where he attended an electric vehicle handover ceremony. Hyundai EVs were delivered by the Republic of Korea (ROK) Mission to ASEAN to the ASEAN Secretariat as part of an electric vehicle project funded by the ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund (AKCF).