Korea, Asean push practical cooperation at Jeju Forum as strategic partnership enters new phase

Envoys and experts from Southeast Asia explored ways to implement practical cooperation between Korea and Asean member states during a panel at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity 2026 on Friday.

The discussion took place in a session titled “Implementation of the Asean-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) Vision,” hosted by the Asean-Korea Centre, at a hotel on Korea’s southern resort island of Jeju.

ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, the nation's official name.

The seminar was moderated by Prof. Shin Jae-hyeok, director of the Korea University Asean Center, and participated by panelists Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez, ambassador of the Philippines to Korea; Jesuina Maria Ferreira Gomes, vice minister of foreign affairs and cooperation of Timor-Leste; Vu Ho, ambassador of Vietnam to Korea; Ha Dae-goog, director of the Asean Cooperation Division at Korea’s Foreign Ministry; and Prof. Fumiharu Mieno, former director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University.

“Following the elevation of [Korea-Asean] relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, both sides are now entering a new phase in which the task is no longer simply to see the partnership, but to implement it in concrete and practical ways,” Prof. Shin said, citing the CSP vision presented during the 26th Korea-Asean Summit last October.

The CSP is the highest possible level of bilateral diplomatic engagement that Asean can hold with an external partner. It was formally launched at the 25th Korea-Asean Summit in October 2024 to mark the 35th anniversary of bilateral relations.

Director Ha outlined government-backed plans to create new regulations for students and workers from Asean member states to “better adapt and integrate to Korea,” and an AI initiative that centers on infrastructure, talent development and startup growth.

This year, the Philippines holds the Asean chairmanship. Ambassador Fernandez proposed five priorities for the Korea-Asean CSP vision: maritime cooperation, cybersecurity and digital resilience, economic upgrade, biodiversity and environmental protection and sociocultural cooperation.

Vice Minister Gomes, via a video call, stressed that Timor-Leste’s recent accession to Asean provides three opportunities for the country: a stronger voice in regional affairs, economic transformation and national development.

The island nation, which shares a border with Indonesia, was admitted as a member state to Asean on Oct. 26, 2025, during the 47th Asean Summit.

This marks the Asean-Korea Centre’s second consecutive year of hosting a session at the Jeju Forum.

Since its foundation in 2009, the organization has been dedicated to expanding economic, social and cultural exchanges and cooperation between Korea and Asean. Asean is Korea’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for 23 percent of trade volume, or $204.68 billion, as of last year.

The center held a ceremony on Thursday to commemorate the establishment of the Timor-Leste bench on the Asean-Korea Olle trail in Jeju, which features resting benches representing the 10 other Asean member states.

The 21^st edition of the Jeju Forum was held under the theme “Reinventing Cooperation in a Fragmented World,” addressing geopolitical uncertainty, economic and digital transformation, climate action and local governance. The event ended on Friday.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]