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THE ASEAN-South Korea partnership is crucial in accelerating digital transformation in Southeast Asia, stated Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Thursday (7/13), 2023.
“South Korea, as a country with strength in digital innovation, can support ASEAN in digital infrastructure and innovation,” she said during the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin in Jakarta.
Next year, ASEAN and South Korea will commemorate 35 years of relations, which will be elevated to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, she noted.
According to Marsudi, there are two areas of cooperation that need to be strengthened. The first is the acceleration of digital infrastructure development in ASEAN.
With ASEAN’s economy projected to grow by 4.7 percent this year, Marsudi highlighted the need for infrastructure investment in digital transformation, particularly in communication infrastructure and digital innovation in the banking and payment sectors.
“As a leader in digital innovation, South Korea can assist ASEAN in this sector by supporting the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum: Implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP),” Marsudi said.
The second focus area for cooperation is a commitment to long-term peace and stability in the region.
Marsudi emphasized that developments on the Korean Peninsula are a concern for the region, and nuclear weapons pose a significant threat to the Indo-Pacific region.
“ASEAN is committed to fostering a habit of dialogue and a paradigm of collaboration, utilizing all ASEAN platforms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF),” she said.
She emphasized that the planned ASEAN-South Korea Joint Statement on AOIP should be inclusive and contribute to long-term peace and stability in the region.
ASEAN has also welcomed initiatives such as the Korean-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI), which emphasizes ASEAN centrality, the ASEAN-Korea Day for promoting people-to-people contact, and the promotion of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). [antaranews]
