Greetings from Secretary General
Greetings! Welcome to the ASEAN-Korea Centre website.
Established in 2009 by the governments of the Republic of Korea and 10 ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN-Korea Centre (the Centre) is an intergovernmental organization mandated to expand economic and socio-cultural exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and Korea.
With the world's fifth largest GDP and high economic growth rate, as well as the world's third largest population with a distinctly young demographic, ASEAN is an important strategic partner for Korea, especially in the context of ongoing complex global challenges. Located in East Asia, the region has great potential to strengthen a mutually beneficial partnership based on its geographical and cultural commonalities with Korea.
ASEAN and Korea have developed and expanded their cooperation in various areas since 1989, when the two sides officially established their dialogue relations. Trade witnessed twenty-fivefold increase, while Korea’s investment in ASEAN grew 77 times during the same period. In the same vein, reciprocal visitors between the two sides reached a significant figure of 10 million persons in 2023, signaling a rapid recovery after the pandemic and almost reaching the pre-pandemic figure of 12 million, which underscores their indispensable partnership.
The Centre has also implemented substantial programs and activities in various fields of trade, investment, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges in response to the needs and for the development of both sides. For example, the Centre's key initiatives include the "ASEAN-Korea Youth Network Workshop", which has gathered more than 800 ASEAN and Korean youth participants; the "ASEAN-Korea Forum", which provides a platform for discussions among government officials and academics; ASEAN-Korea ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Forum", which is organized with the aim of closely responding to the rapidly changing business environment; "ASEAN Week", which promotes the values and beauty of ASEAN culture; and "ASEAN Connectivity Forum", which is the only forum on ASEAN connectivity in Korea.
2024 is a significant year, celebrating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations, the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Centre, and the expected elevation of ASEAN and Korea to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
In this regard, The Centre will remain dedicated to contributing to the further cooperation between ASEAN and Korea. First, the Centre will support the strengthening of sustainable and mutually beneficial economic cooperation between Korea and ASEAN with a common vision of shared prosperity. Second, the Centre will strive to promote sustainable and future-oriented tourism cooperation by supporting capacity building in the tourism sector, which has been recovering vigorously from the pandemic, and enhance bilateral cultural exchanges between ASEAN and Korea. Third, the Centre will work relentlessly to strengthen communication and enhance mutual perception between the peoples of ASEAN and Korea, thereby reinforcing solidarity and cooperation based on understanding and respect.
The ASEAN-Korea Centre will strive to build on the growth and development of the past 15 years and contribute to the advancement of the relationship between Korea and the 10 ASEAN Member States for a better shared future. We look forward to your continued support and interest in our work. Thank you.
Established in 2009 by the governments of the Republic of Korea and 10 ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN-Korea Centre (the Centre) is an intergovernmental organization mandated to expand economic and socio-cultural exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and Korea.
With the world's fifth largest GDP and high economic growth rate, as well as the world's third largest population with a distinctly young demographic, ASEAN is an important strategic partner for Korea, especially in the context of ongoing complex global challenges. Located in East Asia, the region has great potential to strengthen a mutually beneficial partnership based on its geographical and cultural commonalities with Korea.
ASEAN and Korea have developed and expanded their cooperation in various areas since 1989, when the two sides officially established their dialogue relations. Trade witnessed twenty-fivefold increase, while Korea’s investment in ASEAN grew 77 times during the same period. In the same vein, reciprocal visitors between the two sides reached a significant figure of 10 million persons in 2023, signaling a rapid recovery after the pandemic and almost reaching the pre-pandemic figure of 12 million, which underscores their indispensable partnership.
The Centre has also implemented substantial programs and activities in various fields of trade, investment, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges in response to the needs and for the development of both sides. For example, the Centre's key initiatives include the "ASEAN-Korea Youth Network Workshop", which has gathered more than 800 ASEAN and Korean youth participants; the "ASEAN-Korea Forum", which provides a platform for discussions among government officials and academics; ASEAN-Korea ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Forum", which is organized with the aim of closely responding to the rapidly changing business environment; "ASEAN Week", which promotes the values and beauty of ASEAN culture; and "ASEAN Connectivity Forum", which is the only forum on ASEAN connectivity in Korea.
2024 is a significant year, celebrating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations, the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Centre, and the expected elevation of ASEAN and Korea to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
In this regard, The Centre will remain dedicated to contributing to the further cooperation between ASEAN and Korea. First, the Centre will support the strengthening of sustainable and mutually beneficial economic cooperation between Korea and ASEAN with a common vision of shared prosperity. Second, the Centre will strive to promote sustainable and future-oriented tourism cooperation by supporting capacity building in the tourism sector, which has been recovering vigorously from the pandemic, and enhance bilateral cultural exchanges between ASEAN and Korea. Third, the Centre will work relentlessly to strengthen communication and enhance mutual perception between the peoples of ASEAN and Korea, thereby reinforcing solidarity and cooperation based on understanding and respect.
The ASEAN-Korea Centre will strive to build on the growth and development of the past 15 years and contribute to the advancement of the relationship between Korea and the 10 ASEAN Member States for a better shared future. We look forward to your continued support and interest in our work. Thank you.
Kim Jae-shin Secretary General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre