(Unofficial translation)

I am grateful to you all for sharing your wisdom to benefit Korea-ASEAN cooperation and for welcoming my proposal to host the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit next year.

Valuing people is what Asian countries share in common. Our goal is to ensure that the 700 million people in Korea and ASEAN – 10 percent of the global population – can prosper together. 

The top priority of Korea’s New Southern Policy is to create a “people-centered community.”

With the hope of encouraging mutual visits and bringing the people of ASEAN member states and Korea even closer, the size of next year’s ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund will be doubled. 

Korea will make an earnest effort to carry out projects that ASEAN residents are in need of, such as rural development like Korea’s Saemaul Movement and improvements in healthcare for easier access to medical services.

We will foster future generations who will lead efforts for cooperation. Scholarship programs for outstanding undergraduates majoring in science and engineering will be significantly expanded, and support will be provided for the establishment of technical education and vocational training institutions.

Over 500,000 people from ASEAN countries are currently living in Korea.
Workers, immigrants by marriage, and international students from ASEAN countries are making enormous contributions to the development of Korea. We will strive to enhance their rights and interests, as well as their quality of life.

ASEAN’s development is Korea’s development. Together with ASEAN, we will create a community of mutual prosperity where all can thrive. To this end, we will share our experiences of economic growth with ASEAN member states.

An additional US$100 million will be jointly raised for the “New Southern Support Fund” by the public and private sectors by 2022. More Korean companies will participate in establishing ASEAN countries’ transport, energy and water resource infrastructure. The ASEAN Smart Cities Network project is a matter of great interest to my Administration. Korea will share its strengths to the greatest possible extent and actively take part in it.

Closing gaps in development is the key to the advancement of a community. Korea will join in the creation of an ASEAN community where no one is left behind.

We will more than double the scale of grants for ASEAN, with the focus of support placed on strengthening its digital capacity in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The connections between Korea and ASEAN will be strengthened through the efforts of small and medium-sized enterprises. To increase technical cooperation and exchanges between SMEs, Korea will open a Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea (TASK) center in the ASEAN region.

We will also support the establishment of a network of Korean and ASEAN SMEs through the ASEAN-Korea Business Council.

Finally, together with ASEAN, we will forge a peace community where people are safe.

This year, the ASEAN region suffered a host of hardships caused by natural disasters, including typhoons and earthquakes. Given the pace of climate change, we are likely to face more disasters going forward, and efforts for prevention are crucial.

Korea will also work together with ASEAN nations in responding to disasters.
We will provide support for strengthening disaster management capacity and for establishing a flash flood emergency system.

We will also join forces to overcome non-conventional, cross-border security threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, and cyber security breaches. Korea will take part in establishing an ASEAN Cyber Security Center and will carry out a project to enhance ASEAN’s counterterrorism capabilities.

Chairman and heads of state and government,

An era of peace is dawning on the Korean Peninsula. Peace on the Korean Peninsula will lead to our long-dreamt-of East Asian community.

Dramatic changes have transpired over the course of the past year: North Korea’s participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, three rounds of inter-Korean summits, and the North Korea-United States summit held here in Singapore.

The consistent support that ASEAN has demonstrated has provided a great boost for the journey toward peace. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude. I also request that the heads of state and government continue to show keen interest and support until complete denuclearization is achieved and steadfast peace is established on the Korean Peninsula. 

President Joko Widodo of Indonesia has suggested inviting the leader of North Korea to attend next year’s ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit. This is a truly noteworthy proposal.

If circumstances on the Korean Peninsula continue to move toward peace, I will actively review this proposal and consult with ASEAN member states in advance. I, again, appreciate this tremendous proposal.

I look forward to meeting you all again at the 2019 ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit as well as at the inaugural Mekong-Republic of Korea Summit next year. 

Thank you.