South Korea's 'look-south policy'

- Reuters

Two weeks after his inauguration, South Korean president Moon Jae-in (pic) unprecedentedly sent his special envoy to ASEAN. He also announced that his government would bring its relations with ASEAN up to the level of the four major powers (the United States, China, Japan and Russia). While such efforts are on the rise, we may still ask, what is exactly the South Korean government's vision and strategy toward ASEAN?

Pursuing mutual and sustainable prosperity, increasing people-to-people exchanges, and partnering in building a new East Asia that is peaceful and safe, are the three main directions of the South Korean government in strengthening its ties with ASEAN, according to South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha during the ASEAN-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the occasion of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the 24th ASEAN Regional Forum, held in Manila in early August.