1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Korea National Diplomatic Academy’s Center for ASEAN-Indian Studies, held the “9th Republic of Korea-South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Partnership Seminar” under the theme “ROK-SAARC Cooperation: Challenges and New Opportunities” at the Grand Ambassador Seoul Hotel on September 20.

o Since its first one in 2010, the ROK-SAARC Partnership Seminar has been held every year to provide a forum for experts from governments, academia and the private sectors of 8 member states of SAARC (the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the Kingdom of Bhutan, and the Republic of Maldives) to discuss ways to enhance close communications and mutual understanding between the ROK and the region.

2. At the event, officials from the Foreign Ministries of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and the Secretariats of SAARC and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), as well as experts from the KNDA’s Center for ASEAN-Indian Studies, and other major think-tanks and academia at home and abroad, engaged in in-depth discussions on possible cooperation between the ROK and the South Asian region.

o In his opening remarks, Deputy Director-General for South Asian and Pacific Affairs Lee Sang-ryol stressed that the ROK would increase cooperation with the South Asian region, and contribute to regional peace and prosperity by taking advantage of the opportunities of South Asia’s great potential for economic growth, and the ROK government’s New Southern Policy.

o The participants looked at the possibility of cooperation between the ROK and SAARC through the ROK’s New Southern Policy, and discussed in depth ways to step up cooperation with the South Asian region. They also exchanged constructive and useful opinions on various ways to strengthen cooperation between the ROK and South Asia.

3. At the seminar, representatives from Korean companies which already made inroads into South Asia, or plan to do so in the future, as well as academics and students interested in the region -- about 30 people in total -- were given a useful opportunity to better understand the South Asian region and SAARC, and to build networks.

4. The ROK government is making active efforts to implement the New Southern Policy, which aims to promote co-prosperity with ASEAN and India, including President Moon Jae-in’s state visits to India and the Republic of Singapore in July this year. The 9th ROK-SAARC Partnership Seminar is expected to give impetus to efforts to expand the scope of the New Southern Policy to the South Asian region.

* unofficial translation