ASEAN, South Korea Set Strategic Course With New Plan Of Action 2026-2030

By Yasmin Ahmad Zukiman

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- ASEAN and South Korea are set to adopt the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action (POA) 2026–2030, marking a significant step in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

South Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister, Park Yoon Joo, stated that the new plan will serve as a roadmap for addressing shared challenges and fostering future-oriented cooperation between both sides.

“We are expected to adopt the ASEAN–ROK Plan of Action 2026–2030 for the substantive implementation of the CSP.

“Based on the new POA, ASEAN and Korea will navigate our way forward to addressing challenges we face together, such as global supply chain uncertainties, climate change, and transnational crime, among others.

“The new POA will also serve as a guiding document to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation on future-oriented areas, including AI, digital transition, and green transition,” he said in his remarks at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with South Korea, held in conjunction with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings (AMM) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here on Friday.

Park also expressed his appreciation to the Country Coordinator, Thailand, for its able leadership during the past four months of working-level drafting sessions in Jakarta.

He extended heartfelt appreciation to the ASEAN member states for their support and trust in the strength and resilience of South Korean democracy.

Under the new administration of South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung, he said South Korea looks forward to deepening and expanding its CSP with ASEAN based on mutual trust, respect and benefit.

He also noted the alignment between Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship theme, ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, and South Korea's theme for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), ‘Building a Sustainable Tomorrow’, highlighting their shared spirit.

“We look forward to working with you, especially the seven ASEAN Member States who are part of APEC as well, to maximise synergy between these two important bodies, leading up to the summits at the end of this year,” he said.

ASEAN and South Korea first established sectoral dialogue relations in November 1989. This relationship was elevated to full dialogue partner status at the 24th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, held in Kuala Lumpur in July 1991.

The 58th AMM and related meetings, held from July 8 to 11 under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” include 24 ministerial-level engagements, bringing together ASEAN Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners to strengthen regional cooperation and partnerships.

-- BERNAMA