Summit and S. Korea’s ‘New Asia Initiative’
                                                                 By Lee, Soon-chun
                        Chancellor of the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security 
                                              of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
                                                                     June 1, 2009



(This is a contribution by Chancellor Lee to the Korea Herald on June 1, 2009)

President Lee Myung-bak announced the "New Asia Initiative" last March when he was on official 
trips to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. The initiative aims to enlarge the geographic horizon 
of Korean diplomacy to all parts of Asia including the South Pacific and to deepen economic, 
security and cultural cooperation with those countries. 

The NAI contains major directions of the current government's foreign policy. The government's foreign 
policy vision has four dimensions - the inter-Korean relationship based on co-prosperity, foreign policy 
for cooperative networks, comprehensive and pragmatic diplomacy, and future-oriented security. Apart 
from the South-North relationship, which is an issue of the Korean peninsula, all visions can be 
realized by the NAI. 

Foreign policy to build extensive cooperative networks intends to establish global partnerships with 
many countries while promoting more traditional tasks - cooperation with major powers and with 
Northeast Asian countries. Enriching global partnership is the core of the NAI. It is necessary to 
enhance cooperation with Asian countries in preparation for the "era of Asia" in the 21st century. 
The cooperation in this context means not only increased economic interaction but also cooperation 
in other functional issues. 

Comprehensive and pragmatic diplomacy emphasizes energy security, free trade agreements, 
Korea's contribution to international society with good will, and the protection of overseas Koreans. 
Asia is an ideal region where all these diplomatic objectives can be addressed. 

The vision of future-oriented security is about Korea's active role in human security issues, 
trans-border issues as well as in more traditional security concerns. Closer cooperation with Asian 
countries where nontraditional security issues are increasingly taking the center stage of regional 
security concern is the first step to attaining this goal. In sum, the NAI contains major visions of the 
foreign policy directions that the current Korean government pursues. 

The government's highlighting of the NAI has crucial implications for Korea's foreign policy. 
First of all, the NAI means a significant expansion on Korea's diplomatic front, which befits Korea's 
standing in the international community. 

Korea's diplomatic priority, at least so far, has been placed on good relations with major powers and 
Korean peninsula affairs. This is because vestiges of the Cold War still loom large over the Korean 
peninsula. 

Nevertheless, Korea's standing is higher than ordinary Korean people's estimation, thanks to rapid 
economic growth. Korea has produced a U.N. secretary-general and is one of the leading economies 
in the world. Recently, Korea, as co-chair of the G20 Summit, has taken on a pivotal role in tackling 
the global economic crisis. 

Given this image of Korea in the eyes of the international community, Korea cannot focus only on 
peninsular issues and relations with major powers. Therefore, it is time for Korea to expand 
cooperative partners beyond the great powers and beyond Northeast Asia. The NAI was conceived 
as Korea's foreign policy direction in such a context. Beginning with Asia, Korea should expand its 
friendship and cooperative relations further. 

Emphasis on the NAI does not mean an underestimation of the importance of Korean peninsular 
issues or cooperation with major powers. Some might say that the new initiative, focused on 
ASEAN, Central Asia and the Pacific, may lessen Korea's efforts to make a better relationship 
with our immediate neighbors such as China, Japan and the United States. 

Such worries, however, are not relevant. Peninsula issues and relations with major powers are 
constants of Korean foreign policy. Reflecting this, the Korean government made every effort to 
consolidate diplomacy with the four major powers last year. The new initiative is built on such a 
basis; it is not intended to replace it. 

Korea should expand its perception of the region and regional countries which are the first targets 
of real cooperation through the NAI. Building extensive cooperative networks and mutually beneficial 
relationships with more countries contributes to the amplification of Korea's soft power. 

It was hard power that dominated international relations before, but soft power is increasingly 
important. Without soft power backed by reasonable hard power, a country cannot exercise a 
leadership role in the current context. 

Good and cooperative relationships with more countries means growing support for Korea's positions 
on many international issues, thus giving substantial leverage to Korea. This contributes significantly 
to Korea's international and regional leadership. Therefore, the more countries with which Korea has 
a good cooperative relationship through the NAI, the more soft power Korea will have. 

Since President Lee's announcement of the NAI, the Korean government has faithfully acted on it. 
The Korean president toured Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand in March and announced his 
NAI there. Then, the president visited Central Asian countries holding summits in May. Moreover, 
the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit opens in Jeju today. All 10 leaders of the ASEAN 
countries, as well as the secretary-general of ASEAN, have been invited to the island. 

The summit, under the slogan "Partnership for Real Friendship for Good," commemorates the 20th 
anniversary of Korea's dialogue partnership with ASEAN. It will be an official occasion to announce 
the NAI together with its detailed visions and programs. 

The summit is also the first opportunity to translate the will into practice. Particularly, the summit 
is meaningful since it is held around a few historic landmarks between Korea and ASEAN countries. 
Korea and Thailand celebrated the 50th anniversary of official diplomatic ties between the two 
countries in 2008. This year, 2009, is the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and 
the Philippines and the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Brunei and Korea. In addition, 
Korea and Malaysia will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2010. 

ASEAN and Korea are geographically close and have great potential for mutually beneficial 
relations. The relationship between the two, however, has not been so intimate. They shared the 
Japanese colonial experience and achieved independence at about the same time, but were 
preoccupied with nation-state building after independence, and failed to make a meaningful 
connection from the beginning.

Relations in the 1960s and 1970s were shaped by the Cold War. North and South Korea were in 
competition for regime legitimacy, which was measured by the number of countries with diplomatic 
ties.
 
ASEAN's diplomatic ties with both North and South were mainly forged in the 1960s-70s. After this, 
the relationship became more of an economic one, when Korea invested in ASEAN countries to 
harness their cheaper labor costs. 

A decisive turning point in the relationship came in the late 1990s. The Asian Economic Crisis 
brought about ASEAN Plus Three cooperation in which all ten ASEAN countries, Korea, Japan and 
China to join hands. Consequently, for the first time, ASEAN and Korea perceived themselves in 
single regional unit of East Asia. 

The ongoing interactions and cooperations between ASEAN and Korea easily go beyond one's 
imagination. The origin of the so-called "Korean Wave" is ASEAN countries, and the wave is still 
going. 

From an economic aspect, ASEAN is Korea's third-largest trading partner. Also, many Korean 
companies invest in ASEAN countries, making the region Korea's second-biggest investment 
destination. 

People-to-people contact is also substantial. Three million Korean people visit ASEAN countries 
annually and many students from the region come to Korea for study and vice-versa. Migrant 
workers from ASEAN countries contribute to the robust Korean economy. Recently, the number of 
international marriages between Koreans and spouses from ASEAN countries is rapidly increasing. 

ASEAN has strategic importance for Korea. One of the crucial tasks that Korean foreign policy has 
to handle is energy security for sustainable economic growth in the midst of growing international 
competition for energy resources. 

For this, geographically close and resource-rich ASEAN countries such as Indonesia (natural gas, 
petroleum and timber) and Myanmar (natural gas) deserve utmost priority in Korea's strategic 
approach. 

The FTA is the way to go for future growth of trade-dependent Korea. Korea signed an FTA in goods 
and services with ASEAN in 2006 and 2007 respectively and soon will sign an investment agreement. 

After the end of the Cold War, comprehensive security or human security issues became increasingly 
important. International terrorism, drug trafficking, maritime security, and natural disasters are areas 
where Korea's contribution is needed. 

Many ASEAN countries have human security problems where there is potential to cooperate with 
Korea. Korea-ASEAN cooperation in non-traditional security matters may benefit both parties. 

Korea's extension of financial support and technology may assist ASEAN to tackle such issues, and 
Korea can increase its capacity to deal with such issues in the course of cooperation with ASEAN. 

Climate change and green growth can be good items for Korea-ASEAN cooperation. ASEAN 
countries have been plagued by smog for more than a decade. They also face the deforestation
of tropical jungles. In addition, ASEAN countries have to industrialize for the betterment of living 
standards in the region. 

Korea's initiative of low-carbon green-growth may provide some hints and ideas for ASEAN to 
resolve the dilemma between preservation and industrialization. Korea may gain from the green 
growth cooperation by finding a new engine for economic growth and ASEAN also can get benefit 
by achieving growth while preserving the environment. 

ASEAN is a good partner for Korea to realize its vision of contribution diplomacy. The Korean 
government has chosen contribution to the international community as one of its diplomatic visions. 

ASEAN includes major recipients of Korea's official development aid. Cambodia is Korea's 
second-biggest ODA recipient. Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Laos follow Cambodia in 
the recipient list. Closer cooperation with major ASEAN ODA recipients will increase the 
effectiveness of Korea's development assistance to them and will enhance Korea's image among 
ASEAN people, thus contributing to Korea's soft power. 

The agendas of the ASEAN-Korea summit reflect the above-mentioned mutual interests of the two. 
The two parties will sign an investment agreement at the summit, putting the last piece of the 
ASEAN-Korea FTA in place. 

The summit is divided into two sessions. In the first session the leaders review the past cooperation 
record between ASEAN and Korea and discuss the future direction of cooperation in the fields of 
politics-security, economy-development and socio-culture. 

In addition to the current issues of regional security matters, socio-cultural cooperation and 
people-to-people contact will be extensively discussed. 

Particularly, the advent of the ASEAN-Korea Center as the focal point of socio-cultural cooperation 
will be emphasized. 

In terms of economy-development, Korea's continued ODA and assistance for developing countries 
in the region will be reassured along with the systematic conveyance of Korea's experience of 
economic development to those countries. 

Global issues including the global economic crisis, energy security and climate change will be the 
main topics in the second session. Korea, as a co-chair, has played a bridging role between 
developing countries like those in ASEAN and more developed countries at the G20 Summit last 
April. 

Korea's effort to convey the voice of developing countries at the G20 was hailed by ASEAN countries. 
Based on this experience, closer cooperation between Korea and ASEAN to overcome the crisis will 
be discussed in the session. 

Particularly, the Korean government will explain its low-carbon, green-growth vision and lead 
discussions for better and more effective ASEAN-Korea cooperation in fields such as climate 
change and green growth. 

In addition, food security and energy security issues that Korea and ASEAN have as common 
interests will be dealt with and a way for future cooperation will be pursued. 

After the summit, a joint statement, containing major decisions and consensus at the summit 
will be made public. The Korean government also prepares policy documents covering major issues 
of the summit, especially development cooperation, low-carbon green-growth, and socio-cultural 
cooperation. 

The summit is expected to bring about a number of benefits for Korea either direct or indirect. 
The expected benefits include the strengthening of Korea's leadership position in the region, the 
invention of a new engine for future growth, a widening ASEAN door for Korean companies, mutual 
respect and understanding between ASEAN and Korea, more opportunities for cultural exchange 
and so on. 

More importantly, the deepening of ASEAN-Korea cooperation through this summit is a win-win 
solution for both. ASEAN may get real benefits from the Korean development experience, ODA, 
increasing socio-cultural exchange and green growth initiative. 

Korea is expected to get concrete benefits including energy security, a new chance for economic 
gain, and an opportunity to rise to the position of respected leader country in the region. 

Furthermore, both ASEAN and Korea can expect increased recognition and a better image of 
themselves in their partners' countries. 

Korea's presence is less widely appreciated in ASEAN countries compared with that of China 
and Japan. The Korean government has to make effort to enhance its favorable and good image 
in ASEAN countries through a successful summit. 

At the same time, the Korean people's perception of ASEAN should be changed after the summit, 
in commensurate with the depth of economic and socio-economic cooperation between the two. 

If the Korean government wants deeper and wider cooperation or even a strategic partnership with 
ASEAN, the government's efforts should be backed by the Korean people's consensus and support 
for it. 

The people's consent comes from understanding how ASEAN is important to Korea. Therefore, 
a renewed or a better informed perception among Korean people about ASEAN as Korea's strategic 
partner will empower the government's effort. 

Last but not least, this summit should not stop at an enhanced Korea-ASEAN relationship. 
The ultimate goal of the NAI lies in expansion of Korea's diplomatic horizons and enhancement of 
its international standing. ASEAN is the beginning, not end of the effort. 

Beginning with ASEAN, deeper and wider cooperation networks should be extended to Central Asia, 
South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere. More cooperation networks for Korea means 
more soft power for Korea.