PHNOM PENH: Speaking at the 16th Annual International Conference on the New Context of ASEAN-ROK Relations, hosted by the Royal Academy of Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister of the Office of the Council of Ministers, Binh Chin said that ASEAN-Korea relations have seen steady progressing, which can be seen in the 22nd ASEAN-Korea Joint Trade and Declaration.
Binh Chin has also stated that ASEAN-Korea relations in the past have made the two countries and regions prosperous as well as maintaining mutual benefits, leading to researchers, politicians, policy makers, stakeholders and the people of the two regions to understand each other and strengthen their relationship.
"The purpose of this conference is to provide an opportunity for ASEAN researchers from the Republic of Korea to meet and discuss in order to contribute to the search, promotion and mutual understanding of the two countries," he said. "It will also strengthen and expand the long-standing friendship and cooperation between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea to contribute to the efforts of both governments strengthening the people of ASEAN and Korea."
Binh Chin has urged the Asia Center of the Royal Academy to compile good documents between ASEAN and Korea so that future researchers can study, understand and continue to communicate better in the future. He has also requested the Chey Institute for Higher Education of the Republic of Korea to support the Center for Asian Studies of the Royal Academy of Cambodia to be able to organize international conferences as well as research.
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye, was also present at ASEAN-ROK Conference, in which he said that ASEAN regions it’s the fourth largest trading partner of Korea. The high position demonstrates a strong bond between the two countries and regions, with predictions for Korea to formulate priority policies with ASEAN in the near future.
"At this conference, I would like to highlight three key points: First, to strengthen cooperation in ASEAN and establish a strong community of people, a center for peace and prosperity related to the Korean people, and further cooperation with ASEAN," he said. In terms of trade, President Moon Jae-in proposed an ASEAN-Korea initiative to promote public health and vaccines, and public welfare to provide treatment and vaccination services, as well as to achieve equity in the region.
President of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, Sok Touch has spoken about the history of foundingASEAN and the importance of ASEAN to the world, as well as the importance of Korea to ASEAN. He said that at present, Korea's influence in the world and ASEAN is changing the lives and livelihoods of its people. He added that due to the importance of each other.
"There is a point where we come together, even though we have different languages, religions, but we drink water together, breathe oxygen, we get Covid-19 and the fourth thing, what we have together is the environment, with some saying Cambodia it’s the one one who destroys the environment…But the biggest destroyers are the most destructive powers: United States, China, Russia, Japan,
Korea, the most industrialized countries, which has the most environmental damage, so that country must help poor countries not to destroy the environment further… ”
The one-and-a-half-day conference discusses security, politics, trade and culture with 12 speakers from Cambodia, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia, with more than 300 participants in person and online.
