Senior Officials of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea (ROK) reaffirmed their commitment to further advancing the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) at the 30th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue, held in Seoul today.
The Meeting reviewed progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action (2026–2030) across the political-security, economic, socio-cultural, and cross-pillar sectors, and exchanged views on priorities to further strengthen cooperation under the CSP. The ROK reaffirmed its strong support for ASEAN Centrality and its commitment to advancing the CSP in alignment with ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, as reflected in the CSP Vision introduced by President Lee Jae Myung at the 26th ASEAN-ROK Summit in 2025.
Both sides underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges, particularly online scams; promoting maritime cooperation; deepening trade and investment, including through the upgrading of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA); advancing digital transformation, including in support of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA); promoting emerging technologies, including AI; strengthening food and energy security; and supporting MSMEs and startups.
The Meeting also encouraged further cooperation in culture and creative industries, people-to-people exchanges, health, environment, climate change, and energy transition, including support for the ASEAN Power Grid (APG). The Meeting noted the ROK’s proposals on the ASEAN-ROK AI Companionship Initiative, the ASEAN-ROK Cultural and Creative Industries Initiative, and the Shared Roots: ASEAN-ROK Creative Heritage Initiative.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in connectivity, smart cities, sustainable development, sub-regional development, and narrowing the development gap, including through support for the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI). The ROK also reaffirmed commitment to advancing practical cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Both sides exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest and concern, reaffirming the importance of promoting dialogue and cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges.
The 30th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue was co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SOM Leader of Thailand, Eksiri Pintaruchi, and Deputy Minister for Political Affairs and SOM Leader of the ROK, Eui-hae Cecilia Chung, and attended by Senior Officials or their representatives of ASEAN Member States, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community and their respective delegations.
: Association of Southeast Asian Nations