President Park Geun-hye has encouraged the ASEAN nations to play a larger role in persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and to become a responsible member of the international community, as part of her administration's efforts to achieve unification and peace on the peninsula.


This was part of Cheong Wa Dae's statement made available to media outlets from the ten ASEAN nations prior to the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, scheduled to start on December 11. President Park also emphasized that unification and peace on the Korean Peninsula are important steppingstones and prerequisites to achieving peace across East Asia.

Park said that each and every member of ASEAN can be of great help in bringing about peace on the Korean Peninsula and eventual reunification, as many of them have diplomatic relations with both Koreas.

She also introduced some plans that are under way that will strengthen ties between Korea and Southeast Asia. First, the ASEAN-ROK Business Council will be launched to encourage networking between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are, she explained, fundamental to economic growth in both Korea and ASEAN. Second, an "ASEAN Culture Plaza" will be opened in Busan that will bring the splendid cultures of Southeast Asia to the Korean people. In addition, Korea will explore measures for simplifying visa procedures so that more people from ASEAN can visit Korea without any troubles. Finally, she suggested the creation of a network of next-generation leaders to form the basis of a more forward-looking relationship.

Regarding the launch of the ASEAN Community, to be established next year, President Park asserted that, "It is a historic accomplishment and the fruit of half-a-century of cooperation." She suggested that people realize the spirit of cohesion not only in Korea-ASEAN relations but also all across Northeast Asia.

By Wi Tack-whan, Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr


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