1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun held a luncheon meeting with the ASEAN Committee in Seoul (ACS)* on February 5.

* The ACS comprises ambassadors from 10 ASEAN Member States: Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines. (Timor-Leste also participated as an observer, following its admission in principle to ASEAN in 2022.)

※ ASEAN-Korea Economic Relations (as of 2024) : (Trade) USD 192.8 billion (3rd largest) ; (Investment) USD 155.3 billion (2nd largest, cumulative)

2. Vice Minister Kim emphasized that under the acting president’s leadership, the Korean government has been ensuring stable governance and is carrying out its duties in foreign affairs, security, and the economy without disruption. He reaffirmed that Korea will maintain its current foreign policy direction while further deepening its cooperative ties with ASEAN. He also expressed Korea’s firm commitment to the smooth implementation of key cooperation initiatives* aligned with ASEAN’s priorities in digital transformation and climate change responses, and to the active pursuit of the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI).

* Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Flagship (KADIF): Development of high-performance computing infrastructure, capacity building, and the expansion of AI utilization (USD 30 million, 2024-2028) / ASEAN-Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation (AKCMM): A pilot program launched under the ‘Partnership for ASEAN-ROK Methane Action (PARMA)’ to support policy and institutional frameworks, improve measurement methodologies, and assist in the planning and implementation of methane reduction projects (USD 20 million, 2024-2027)

3. Vice Minister Kim also expressed grave concern over the DPRK’s illicit nuclear and missile development, as well as its military cooperation with Russia, including the dispatch of troops. He highlighted that such actions seriously undermine peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also across the broader Asia-Pacific region. He urged ASEAN Member States to deliver a united and unequivocal message calling on the DPRK to denuclearize and return to dialogue.

4. The ASEAN ambassadors reaffirmed their trust in the resilience of Korean democracy and the strength of the Korean people. They expressed their willingness to further advance bilateral relations with Korea, including through high-level exchanges. The ambassadors also conveyed their commitment to deepening the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) through the formulation of a new Plan of Action (POA) and enhanced cooperation across various sectors.