Korea’s New ASEAN Policy: Pragmatic Partnership for a Shared Future

After all the political dramas—martial law, street protests, and the impeachment of former president Yoon Seok-yeol—that have unfolded in South Korea since December last year, a sense of normalcy returned when Lee Jae-myung won the presidential election in June this year. After a few months of addressing domestic and immediate neighbour issues, such as those related to the Korean Peninsula and the four major powers (the United States, China, Japan, and Russia), it is time for Lee’s administration to focus on the future. The ASEAN Summit with South Korea at the end of October in Kuala Lumpur was timely for President Lee to present his vision for cooperation with ASEAN.

President Lee set the vision for ASEAN-Korea Cooperation for the next five years as the realisation of the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). The guiding concepts position Korea as a “contributor for dreams and hope of ASEAN”, a “springboard for growth and innovation of ASEAN”, and a partner for peace and stability of ASEAN.

The policy towards ASEAN is built on the foundation of the New Southern Policy (NSP) under the previous Moon Jae-in administration to ensure continuity. But South Korea’s policy towards ASEAN has evolved into a more pragmatic, result-oriented and mutually beneficial form of cooperation. This pragmatism—President Lee’s diplomatic credo—emphasises concrete action and tangible outcomes, with a focus on delivering what ASEAN wants.

The second element concerns interactive cooperation, a partnership built on equal footing. ASEAN-Korea cooperation is less about one side assisting the other, but more about working hand in hand to address common challenges such as fighting against transnational crimes, addressing newly emerging digital economy framework and aging society. Together, this embodies the true spirit of the CSP as defined by ASEAN itself: meaningful, substantive, and mutually beneficial.

The Lee administration marks a significant departure from Korea’s earlier outlook on ASEAN, moving beyond viewing it merely as a foreign policy target. President Lee has emphasised the achievements and success stories of ASEAN in Korea, highlighting the grouping’s valuable contributions to the Korean society, and pledged to pay greater attention to the grouping’s living standards and human rights. This reflects a deeper integration, where ASEAN is no longer seen as external or distant, but as an integral part of Korea’s social fabric.

Partner for Peace and Stability

On the strategic front, Korea positions itself as ASEAN’s partner for peace and security. While Korea supports ASEAN’s efforts in realising a peaceful and stable ASEAN region, ASEAN, in turn, is Korea’s partner in promoting peace and security across the broader Indo-Pacific. Beyond traditional issues such as the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea, and economic security, Korea has identified four priority areas that directly affect people’s safety and livelihoods: disaster management, cybersecurity, transnational crime, and maritime security.

In cybersecurity, where Korea-ASEAN cooperation has already delivered tangible results, Korea is deepening its commitment as these programmes enter their second phase, backed by US$4 million in support. For transnational crime and maritime security, Korea aims to elevate cooperation to a new institutional level. Building on the Korea-ASEAN Security Cooperation Forum launched in November 2024, Seoul seeks to establish permanent operational frameworks with ASEAN Chiefs of Police Conference (ASEANAPOL) to transform episodic cooperation into a sustained partnership, particularly focusing on cyber scam, which is a common concern of ASEAN countries and Korea.

The strategic waterways connecting the two regions are critical for trade, energy security, and environmental protection—challenges that neither side can address alone. By combining Korea’s maritime defence technology with ASEAN’s extensive knowledge of local waters, there is a strong potential to deepen cooperation. Based on the existing cooperation framework between coast guards of ASEAN countries and Korea, additional efforts to upgrade the cooperation is in the pipeline, which will enable both sides to better secure vital sea lanes, combat illicit maritime activities, and respond to environmental emergencies.

Springboard for Growth and Innovation

The vision of common prosperity of a brighter future shared by ASEAN and Korea is grounded in a mutually beneficial economic partnership. With complementary economic structures, ASEAN and Korea are ideal partners to build a prosperous economic future, particularly by driving the engines of ASEAN’s next phase of economic growth. This economic future must also rest on the principles of inclusive and equitable growth, as reflected in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045: “Resilient, Innovative, Dynamic, and People-centred ASEAN”, “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” the chairmanship priority of Malaysia, and President Lee Jae-myung administration’s goal of “Balanced Growth for Everyone”.

The Korea-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Yet in an era of geoeconomic uncertainty and rapid technological change, sustaining this partnership requires moving beyond quantitative growth. The ASEAN–Korea FTA upgrade negotiations, set to begin next year, present an opportunity to modernise customs administration systems across ASEAN member states and to build the institutional infrastructure needed for both sides to fully realise the benefits of deeper economic integration.

Korea will actively support ASEAN’s implementation of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which aims to create a US$2 trillion single digital market by 2030. DEFA’s frameworks for cross-border data flows and protection will lay the foundation for collaborative AI development. To this end, Korea is proposing the Korea-ASEAN AI Convergence and Diffusion Initiative to jointly develop an AI ecosystem that offers an alternative to models dominated by major powers. Building on the ongoing Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Flagship Project (KADIF, 2025-2029), this Initiative addresses both the human and technical dimensions of AI transformation, working with ASEAN member states to co-develop and deploy AI services in priority sectors, and demonstrating how AI can be tailored to local needs rather than adopted wholesale from external powers.

Realising this AI-driven transformation also requires robust underlying infrastructure, from reliable connectivity to advanced manufacturing capabilities. Korea has extensive experience in building integrated systems that link energy, telecommunications, and industrial automation. This offers relevant lessons for ASEAN, creating opportunities for mutual learning and joint problem-solving.

Empowering ASEAN’s Next Generation

Korea is poised to be a significant contributor to ASEAN’s future. The new generation of ASEAN holds the key to a more prosperous and inclusive region, when their dreams and aspirations are realised. By providing more opportunities for education and training, and creating pathways for ASEAN youth to pursue their potential in Korea, Seoul is helping ASEAN unlock its full potential.

Sustained partnership ultimately depends on people-to-people ties. ASEAN nationals now represent Korea’s fastest-growing migrant community, reaching almost 740,000 in 2025. Korea is reinforcing institutional support through broader employment pathways in healthcare, domestic services, and skilled sectors, complemented by industry-academia programmes. Visa procedures are being streamlined for multiple-entry access for ASEAN entrepreneurs, while expanded scholarships—especially in science and engineering—help students transition smoothly from study to work in Korea.

To deepen cultural exchange, Korea will strengthen the Korea-ASEAN Centre in Seoul and the ASEAN Culture House in Busan as key platforms for cooperation. These efforts are supported by the Korea-ASEAN Cooperation Fund, which has provided about US$230 million for 450 projects in education, culture, health, and connectivity since 1990. Institutional frameworks and industrial cooperation ultimately depend on people to drive change.

Recognising that deeper integration requires robust human capital, Korea is scaling up its talent development through the Korea-ASEAN Digital Academy (2024-2029), partnering with local institutions to train digital specialists annually. Korea has significantly expanded scholarship opportunities for ASEAN nationals through programs including the Global Korea Scholarship and the Higher Education for ASEAN Talents (HEAT) initiative. Beyond digital skills, Korea will expand technical training and academic exchanges to cultivate the scientists, engineers, and innovators essential for ASEAN STI (Science, Technology, Innovation)-led growth.

The Lee administration’s vision for ASEAN-Korea cooperation builds on the positive achievements of previous administrations’ ASEAN policies, while addressing the limitations of earlier priorities. It ensures consistency and continuity in Korea’s engagement with ASEAN and result-oriented cooperation. Today, ASEAN and Korea relations are mature and stable, requiring no new slogans or grand rebranding. The new vision should instead focus on concrete actions, tangible results, and delivering mutual benefits beyond rhetoric.

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Editor’s Note:
ASEANFocus+ articles are timely critical insight pieces published by the ASEAN Studies Centre.