H.E. Kan Pharidh(깐 파릇) SOM Leader of Cambodia and Co-Chair of the 22nd ASEAN-ROK Dialogue, SOM Leaders of other ASEAN Member Countries,
Ambassadors of the ASEAN Committee in Seoul (ACS),
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Friends,

 It is truly a pleasure to welcome all of you to my residence on this beautiful summer evening in Seoul. This is the best time to visit Korea and I can see many tourists near our Ministry during the daytime these days, many of whom are indeed from ASEAN, which is not surprising given the growing number of people-to-people exchanges between our two regions.

 Indeed, ASEAN and Korea have become very close neighbors and friends to each other. And this would not have happened without the hard work and determination of the seasoned diplomats who are gathered here this evening. Every year, since 1993, the SOM Leaders of ASEAN and Korea have come together for the ASEAN-ROK Dialogue to explore ways to further our cooperation and deepen our partnership. Your work has enriched our ties in all areas and  provided the foundation and fertile soil for Korea’s New Southern Policy.

 Tomorrow I will be accompanying President Moon Jae-in to Russia, where the 2018 FIFA World Cup is being held. I am sure many of you are following the games. In fact, football has always been a very popular sport in this region. One of the things that makes this sport particularly exciting is that often the results far exceed all expectations. This is possible because football is not about one or two star players on the field, but the synergy that is generated through teamwork. And we saw how this teamwork makes miracles earlier this year when the Vietnamese National Team with a Korean head coach took second place in the Asian U-23 Championship. This teamwork, I believe, is the very spirit and essence of the ASEAN-ROK partnership. And Korea’s New Southern Policy is all about maximizing this teamwork for shared  prosperity and peace in this region.

 Distinguished Guests, Friends and Colleagues,

 This year’s Dialogue is particularly significant because it is the first time the SOM Leaders are getting together to discuss the implementation of our New Southern Policy. As you are all aware by now, the aim of our New Southern Policy is to create a “co-prospering, people-centered peace community” with ASEAN by substantially increasing our cooperation under the three pillars of People, Prosperity and Peace.

  “Co-prospering” means that our economic cooperation must be mutually beneficial. Growth for one party must also bring growth for the rest – and indeed this will ensure the sustainability of the relationship.

 ‘People-centered’ means that our cooperation should lead to bettering the lives of our peoples. In this regard, President Moon’s conviction in “putting people first” resonates with ASEAN’s goal of creating a “people-oriented, people-centered” community.

 And finally, ‘peace community’ refers to the inseparability of our two regions in peace and stability. Indeed, ASEAN has a big role to play in denuclearization and establishment of permanent peace on the Korea Peninsula. All ten countries maintain diplomatic relations with the DPRK; the ASEAN Regional Forum is the only regional security forum in which North Korea also takes part; and finally, North Korea also aspires to expand its cooperation with ASEAN. That the historic U.S-DPRK Summit was hosted by Singapore, and very successfully so, underscores ASEAN's place in this peace-making process. And we will certainly continue to count on ASEAN's continuous support and cooperation in this critical historic endeavors.

 Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

 Last year, the 19th ASEAN-ROK Summit in Manila, at this meeting, President Moon announced his wish to host the Third ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit in 2019 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Partnership. I believe the special occasion will not only generate critical momentum to push forward the New Southern Policy but also serve as an important venue for our leaders to further explore ASEAN’s contribution and role in establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. So, I would like to humbly ask for your continued support and cooperation so that we can prepare for the 2019 Commemorative Summit to be a historic milestone that elevate the ROK-ASEAN partnership to a whole new level.

 Before closing, I would like to take this time to extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of Cambodia, especially to Under-Secretary Kan Pharidh(깐 파릇), thank you so much for your hard work and contribution in enhancing the ASEAN-ROK Strategic Partnership during the past three years as our Country Coordinator. Thank you so much.

 Also, I also acknowledge and congratulate, in advance, Permanent Secretary Emaleen(에말린) of Brunei as you take up the coordinator role from this coming August. The next three years will indeed be an exciting time as we work together to put the New Southern Policy into action.

 Once again, I warmly welcome all of you to Seoul, to my official residence. I hope your discussions tomorrow will be both insightful and productive. Finally, may I propose a toast to the health and happiness of everyone here and to the everlasting friendship between ASEAN and the ROK. Cheers! Thank you. /End./