PHNOM PENH: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Tea Banh, has emphasized that South Korea has played an important role in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the ASEAN region, as well as contributing to support all ASEAN states. The statement was made during a meeting of the ASEAN Defense Ministers and the Republic of Korea via Video Conference on Wednesday.

Tea Banh considered the meeting as a good opportunity to strengthen the relationship between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea in the field of defense to build a community focused on common prosperity. He has reminded that ASEAN-South Korea relations evolved from a sectoral dialogue partner from 1989 to a full dialogue partner in 1991 and a strategic partnership in 2010.

In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized Republic of Korea's commitment in support ASEAN efforts to mitigate the effects of pandemics, such as provision of assistance to ASEAN Covid-19 Response Budget and the Rehabilitation Plan after Covid-19 crisis.

Speaking of the meeting, Tea Banh has congratulated Korea on its success in co-chairing the ASEAN Defense Ministers 'Meeting on Joint Peacekeeping Operations on the Second Round of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting.

^{PHOTO: Ministry defence}