PM figures out measures to boost connectivity between RoK, ASEAN

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, ASEAN leaders and the RoK's President Moon Jae-in attended the second session of the 30th ASEAN-RoK Commemorative Summit in Busan, the RoK on November 26.

ASEAN leaders stressed that connectivity is ASEAN's high priority in its effort to promote regional connectivity and build the ASEAN Community, expressing thanks to the RoK'seffective support for the grouping in implementing master plans on ASEAN connectivity in the periods of 2010-2015 and 2015-2025 and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) to narrow the development gap;  developing human resources, vocational training, smart cities, roads, railways and sea routes to connect areas in ASEAN.
They expect to expand comprehensive cooperation with the RoK in the fields of infrastructure development, digital connectivity, and people-to-people exchange.

For his part, RoK President Moon affirmed that his country will actively cooperate with ASEAN to foster the regional connectivity, adding that the RoK will contribute to increasing cohesion between island and continental areas in East Asia, and encourage Korean businesses to invest in 19 key infrastructure projects in the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025.

At the meeting, PM Phuc suggested the RoK actively disburse the Global Infrastructure Fund to support ASEAN's infrastructure projects and support businesses from ASEAN, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to effectively respond to the Industry 4.0 and the digital economy as well as get access to and exploit new technology. 

ASEAN and the RoK should enhance investment in connecting people, facilitating travelling and tourism, boosting the flows of high-skilled workers between the two sides, he said. 

At the meeting on promotion of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula on the same day, leaders welcomed positive developments in dialogues for peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsular, including the second DPRK-U.S. Summit in Viet Nam this year. 

ASEAN advocates and contributes to common efforts heading to sustainable peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula such as creating conditions for all related sides to enhance dialogues within the framework of forum chaired by ASEAN.