1. The “ROK-U.S. Policy Dialogue on ASEAN and Southeast Asia” aimed at strengthening cooperation between Korea’s New Southern Policy and the United States’ vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific was held via video conference from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., May 13. The Head of Delegation for the Korean side was Mr. Park Jae-kyung, Director-General for ASEAN and Southeast Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Head of Delegation for the U.S. side was Ambassador Atul Keshap, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State.

o The Dialogue was the first consultation held between a Director-General for ASEAN and Southeast Asian Affairs and a Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs in order to explore opportunities for the two countries to enhance coordination and cooperation between Korea’s New Southern Policy and U.S. approach towards the Indo-Pacific region.

o Officials from both sides consisting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries from the Korean side, as well as the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) from the U.S. side participated in the dialogue.

2. Both sides shared perspectives on the regional developments including Myanmar and the South China Sea, and explained their respective priorities in Southeast Asian countries and on ASEAN. The ROK and the U.S. affirmed their strong support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

o Regarding the situation in Myanmar, both sides urged the immediate cessation of violence by the Myanmar Security Forces, the release of those who are detained, and the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. Both sides also shared the view that rules-based order needs to be maintained in the South China Sea, in which principles including freedom of navigation and overflight are respected.

o Both sides also recognized the importance of strengthening the EAS(East Asia Summit) as the premier leaders-led strategic forum, and agreed to enhance coordination prior to ASEAN related meetings.

o The Korean side explained that under the New Southern Policy Plus, Korea has been strengthening cooperation in seven key areas, including public health, education, infrastructure, future industries, and non-traditional security. The U.S. side explained that the United States will strengthen its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, including ASEAN, under the Biden Administration.

3. The two sides discussed specific means of cooperation with ASEAN countries in public health, infrastructure and smart cities, green recovery, digital innovation, Mekong sub-region, maritime capacity building and people-to-people exchanges.

① Pursuing concrete cooperation in vaccines and public health

o Both sides shared their efforts to support pandemic management and strengthen health systems in ASEAN countries, including through Official Development Assistance (ODA), COVID19 ASEAN Response Fund, and support for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The two sides also discussed concrete ways for cooperation to support the regional public health system.

② Enhancing cooperation in the field of infrastructure and smart cities for greater ASEAN connectivity

o Both sides agreed that cooperation to support infrastructure and smart cities in the ASEAN region should lead to tangible achievements. Both sides agreed to closely cooperate at the government level to incentivize joint investment in ASEAN infrastructure and smart city projects.

③ Exploring cooperation on climate change and a green recovery

o Both sides agreed to explore opportunities for trilateral cooperation among the ROK, the U.S. and ASEAN to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the participation of the Ministry of Science and ICT of the ROK, as an effort to achieve international net-zero emissions.

④ Identifying opportunities for cooperation to support ASEAN’s digital transition

o Both sides shared respective experiences of cooperation to assist digital transition in ASEAN under the COVID-19 situation and agreed to further identify cyber capacity building programs for potential ROK-U.S. collaboration, utilizing the 6th ROK-U.S. Cyber Policy Consultation.

⑤ Expanding cooperation for sustainable water management in the Mekong region

o Both sides shared the view that water resource management in the Mekong River Basin has emerged as an important issue and agreed to continue to expand collaboration in this area, including through the Korea-Mekong water management joint research center.

⑥ Supporting regional maritime capacity building

o The two sides recognized their respective contribution to regional maritime security including by supporting ASEAN countries’ maritime capacity building, and also agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration in non-traditional security issues such as maritime environment and IUU fishing.

⑦ Identifying potential cooperation in youth networking

o Both sides shared the view that youth networking program between the ROK, the U.S. and ASEAN aimed at engaging ASEAN young leaders can be a potential area of cooperation and agreed to share respective experiences and programs in this area.

4. The Dialogue served as an opportunity to continue and strengthen the momentum for cooperation between the ROK and the U.S. in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, providing a timely opportunity for both sides to share their views on practical and concrete ways for cooperation to support ASEAN partners.