ASEAN, South Korea Map Out CSP Implementation Priorities

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- ASEAN and South Korea have mapped out priorities across multiple sectors to translate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) Vision into concrete cooperation.

The priorities were discussed at a session hosted by the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) during the 21st Jeju Forum on Friday, where participants examined ways to advance the roadmap unveiled at the 2025 ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit and implement the CSP Vision.

In a statement, the AKC said the CSP Vision served as a roadmap for expanding cooperation across the economic, political-security and socio-cultural pillars, as well as people-to-people exchanges.

Participants also discussed implementation priorities and the implications of Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN as its 11th member for both ASEAN and ASEAN-ROK relations.

Timor-Leste Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jesuina Maria Ferreira Gomes described the country's accession to ASEAN as an important milestone for national development and inclusive regional integration.

"Cooperation with South Korea in education, vocational training and digital transformation will lay a strong foundation for Timor-Leste's sustainable development and successful integration into the ASEAN Community building process," she said, according to the statement.

Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez said the Philippines, as this year's ASEAN Chair, looked forward to playing an active role in advancing ASEAN-ROK relations and strengthening regional cooperation.

Meanwhile, former Director of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University, Prof Mieno Fumiharu, said economic cooperation would remain the cornerstone of ASEAN-ROK relations.

“Expanding cooperation in science, technology, academia, joint research and innovation would help drive the partnership's next phase of growth,” he said.

According to the AKC, participants agreed that closer cooperation in areas such as the digital economy, education, innovation and people-to-people exchanges would be key to advancing the ASEAN-ROK partnership as it entered a new phase.

The forum marked the AKC's second consecutive year of hosting a dedicated session at the Jeju Forum.

Ahead of the event, the centre unveiled a Timor-Leste bench along the ASEAN-Korea Olle Trail to symbolise the country's status as ASEAN's 11th member and strengthen people-to-people ties between ASEAN and South Korea.

-- BERNAMA