Kuala lumpur: Thailand proposes three approaches to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and South Korea to jointly combat cybercrime, aiming for a comprehensive strategic partnership. On October 27, at 9:30 a.m. (local time in Kuala Lumpur), Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, attended the 26th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit. This marked the first time that Mr. Lee Chae-myung, President of South Korea, met with ASEAN leaders at this forum. Thailand served as the coordinator for ASEAN-South Korea relations.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of driving the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) to achieve tangible results, particularly in the areas of the economy, green innovation, and sustainable development. He noted that this meeting would review and determine the direction of future cooperation between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea, including promoting the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership by 2024.
The Prime Minister delivered a statement in his capacity as the ASEAN Coordinator and as an ASEAN member state, reaffirming ASEAN’s commitment to driving the ASEAN-ROK comprehensive strategic partnership towards concrete results and implementing the new ASEAN-ROK Work Plan 2026-2030.
In terms of security, political cooperation will be strengthened to address emerging security threats such as cybercrime and support for enhancing maritime awareness through strengthened law enforcement cooperation. The collaboration will also focus on promoting economic cooperation by upgrading the ASEAN-Korea Trade Agreement (AKFTA) in 2026 and leveraging the Regional Business Partnership Agreement.
The Prime Minister urged cooperation in the digital economy, promoting collaboration in smart technology (AI), and digital skills development. He praised the Korean government’s Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Flagship project and promoted social and cultural issues, public health, and the environment.
In a statement on behalf of Thailand, three main cooperation approaches were proposed to strengthen the partnership between Thailand, ASEAN, and the Republic of Korea. These include the development of technology and the digital economy and support for South Korea’s “AI Initiative” for inclusive growth.
The Prime Minister also highlighted promoting economic cooperation through accelerating negotiations on the ‘Thailand-ROK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)’ and improving the AKFTA agreement to enhance regional capacity. Additionally, he emphasized creating a green and sustainable future, with Thailand ready to cooperate with Korea in implementing the “Clean Air for Sustainable ASEAN” project and exchanging knowledge in environmental technology.
The Prime Minister reiterated Thailand’s position on promoting peace and stability in the region, supporting conflict resolution through dialogue and cooperation. He expressed Thailand and ASEAN’s readiness to work with the new government of the Republic of Korea to implement the new ASEAN-ROK Work Plan (2026-2030) to advance a comprehensive strategic partnership.