Republic of Korea opens mission to ASEAN

The Republic of Korea (ROK) opened a mission to ASEAN on Monday in Jakarta and appointed an Ambassador — a move welcomed by ASEAN members.

“The opening of the mission and the appointment of a resident ROK Ambassador to ASEAN in Jakarta demonstrates the strong commitment of the ROK to its relations with ASEAN,” Secretary-General of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The establishment of the mission will strengthen cooperation between ASEAN members and the ROK.

Surin proposed that the ROK encourage Korean companies in the region to form an association to collectively engage with ASEAN and individual member states.

Deputy ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Kim Kyou-hyun, commented that ASEAN is the second largest destination for foreign direct investment from the ROK.

Two-way trade between ASEAN member states and the ROK grew to US$124.5 billion in 2011, up from $98.6 billion in 2010. (swd)