Korea's growing role in ASEAN Connectivity discussed at forum

Speakers and panelists to the 10th ASEAN Expanded Connectivity Forum, co-hosted by the ASEAN-Korea Centre and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pose for a photo at Westin Josun Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Korea has a growing opportunity to cooperate more with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the connectivity front, particularly in the establishment of digital infrastructure.

The ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) hosted the 10th edition of its ASEAN Expanded Connectivity Forum in Seoul, Thursday, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighting the importance of ASEAN Connectivity, which bridges people and industries together to enhance ASEAN integration.

ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Hae-yong presented the connectivity efforts from ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners, as well as the role of the forum.

"The forum has long served as a platform to discuss developments of ASEAN Connectivity and it facilitates ASEAN-Korea partnerships to support connectivity projects in the key sectors of infrastructure, energy, digital and smart cities, among others," Kim said.

Scot Marciel, senior advisor of BowerGroupAsia, based in the United States and former U.S. ambassador to ASEAN, delivered a keynote speech on opportunities for Korea in strengthening ASEAN Connectivity.

"Growth after years of the pandemic, people see an opportunity to move ahead and regenerate the solid growth that has characterized the (ASEAN) region. Dealing with the growing problem of climate change, greater participation in global supply chains ― which of course is directly connected to the desire for greater economic growth ― and taking advantage of the fact that a number of companies are looking to diversify their sources out of China into other parts of the world, Southeast Asia sees a huge opportunity," Marciel said.

Marciel noted that the goal of connectivity in the ASEAN encompasses hard and soft infrastructure that allows economies to connect roads and ports as well as telecommunications lines and regulatory improvements.

Scot Marciel, senior advisor of BowerGroupAsia and former U.S. ambassador to the ASEAN, delivers his keynote speech during the 10th ASEAN Expanded Connectivity Forum at Westin Josun Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre

"ASEAN has recognized that moving forward on connectivity is critical to its competitiveness in a very competitive world. And that competitiveness in turn is essential to that sustained economic growth, lifting even more people out of poverty and becoming an even larger player in the world economy," he said.

"There's a huge amount of demand on the connectivity front that's not being met by other dialogue partners, which is an opportunity for Korea," he said, highlighting the role of Korean infrastructure in technology, telecom and data centers.

"There's tremendous demand in the Mekong region ― Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand ― in particular roads, ports, telecom and power grids... There's more and more demand in the region for climate-resilient infrastructure," Marciel said.

With his experience in Southeast Asia for the past two decades, Marciel said Southeast Asians overall have a very positive view of Korea.

"In my personal opinion, Korea has the advantage of being a really important country, but it's not seen as a giant power like China or the United States. If I can be honest, Southeast Asians get a little bit nervous sometimes dealing with the giant powers ― they wonder, 'Is there a geopolitical angle to some business deal?' I think Korea benefits from not having that concern nearly as much," he said.

"There's also the tremendous admiration for all that Korea has achieved ― the economic and cultural achievements... Now everybody wants to talk about Korean culture in Southeast Asia and that's a huge asset for Korea. But also there's, I think, great appreciation for the quality and the professionalism of the Korean private sector and people know what it can bring to the region," Marciel said.

Panelists participate in a discussion during the first session of the 10th ASEAN Expanded Connectivity Forum at Westin Josun Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre

Importance of dialogue partners

Ambassador of Cambodia to Korea and Chair of ASEAN Committee in Seoul, Chring Botum Rangsay, addressed the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly changing global and regional landscape as well as growing interest from external partners to engage and develop stronger cooperation on connectivity with the ASEAN.

"Our regional alliances will depend on our regional competitiveness, which can only come from a well-connected region that acts in unison as ASEAN. The approach is all about getting the maximum synergy from these initiatives," she said.

The first session discussed the efforts to improve ASEAN Connectivity by a group of experts from both the ASEAN and Korea.

Lim Chze Cheen, director of the ASEAN Connectivity Division at the ASEAN Secretariat, led the ASEAN Dialogue Partners Session.

Lim said ASEAN Connectivity is an integral part of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and is envisioned to support the region in achieving a seamlessly and comprehensively connected ASEAN.

"By connecting ASEAN... we are creating a network of peoples, institutions and infrastructure to improve the way we live, work and travel," Lim said in a written interview.

He introduced the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, which plays a crucial role in supporting community building and regional integration, as well as in bolstering post-COVID-19 recovery and strengthening the resilience of the ASEAN member states.

"Forging partnerships with ASEAN dialogue partners and external partners is key to mobilizing resources to implement MPAC 2025 and enhance ASEAN Connectivity," he said.

Lim Chze Cheen, director of the ASEAN Connectivity Division at the ASEAN Secretariat, presides over the second session of the 10th ASEAN Expanded Connectivity Forum at Westin Josun Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre

ASEAN has intensified engagements with these partners, including Korea.

"We are grateful for the ROK's continued support of ASEAN Connectivity ... Given various connectivity initiatives within and beyond the Southeast Asian region, it is important to create synergies between MPAC 2025 and other connectivity initiatives to forge sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships, and deliver concrete initiatives to our peoples," Lim said.

The strategic areas of MPAC 2025 are closely linked with different initiatives such as the Initial Pipeline of ASEAN Infrastructure Projects, the Framework for Improving ASEAN Infrastructure Productivity and the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Strategy.

"Furthermore, ASEAN has been undertaking projects to establish an ASEAN open data network as well as vocational training programs and common qualifications across the ASEAN member states, which are supported by the ROK," Lim said.

Lim said that the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an impetus for the ASEAN to reimagine the future and plan a collective response to create a comprehensive and resilient plan for recovery.

Lim mentioned the ASEAN Connectivity Post-2025 Agenda, which was adopted during the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits held in Cambodia in November.

Aiming to promote sustainable development, regional integration and future-oriented policies, including climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure, smart cities and digital transformation, the post-2025 agenda opens up possibilities for Korea.

"I believe there are vast opportunities for the ROK to further strengthen its current cooperation and advance future partnerships with ASEAN through comprehensive support in the aforementioned areas. I encourage the ROK government and private sector to mull over what we can achieve in the coming years, growing together for a connected future," he said.

In the third and final session, ASEAN member state government officials presented each country's connectivity projects in the fields of energy, infrastructure, information and communications technology (ICT) and telecommunications.

After the forum, the center will facilitate online business meetings between Korean companies and ASEAN officials from Dec. 12-18.