The Ministry of Foreign Affairs discussed cooperation plans in a range of areas, including politics, security and the economy, with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states ahead of ASEAN-related foreign ministers' meetings.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the 7th that it held the Korea-ASEAN Dialogue, an annual high-level consultative body between Korea and ASEAN member states, in Seoul.
At the meeting attended by Deputy Minister Jeong Ui-hye of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives from 11 ASEAN member states, the two sides reviewed the status of cooperation to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between Korea and ASEAN and discussed plans for the way forward.
Deputy Minister Jeong introduced the government's plan to share Korea's artificial intelligence (AI) innovation capabilities with ASEAN to grow together, and to pursue joint prosperity in culture and the creative industries by leveraging Korean culture.
In addition, the government asked for ASEAN member states' support for and active participation in the "cooperative project for responding to and cracking down on scam center crimes" and the "Korea-ASEAN maritime safety academy" projects proposed by the government.
Participants also exchanged views on major regional and international issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula, developments in the South China Sea and the Myanmar issue.
The government said it is continuing efforts to build a Korean Peninsula where the two Koreas peacefully coexist and grow together, and expressed hope to continue working closely with ASEAN for sustainable peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Meanwhile, ASEAN member states will hold a foreign ministers' meeting in Manila, the Philippines, starting on the 21st. Korea is also scheduled to attend related meetings, including the Korea-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in the region.