Yoon urges ASEAN to align with 3-way bloc of S. Korea, US, Japan

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during the South Korea-ASEAN Summit at Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia, Wednesday (local time). Yonhap

President throws hard pitch amid growing anti-China sentiment in ASEAN after map controversy

By Nam Hyun-woo

JAKARTA ― President Yoon Suk Yeol urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to align their interests with the three-way bloc of South Korea, the United States and Japan. Yoon highlighted the bloc's importance and strategic support for ASEAN during the South Korea-ASEAN summit in Indonesia, Wednesday (local time).

Jakarta is the first stop on his seven-day trip to Indonesia and India to attend ASEAN-related summits and the Group of 20 summit.

"In August, the trilateral summit at Camp David opened up a new chapter for cooperation between the three countries (South Korea, the U.S. and Japan), underpinned by the three countries' full support for the ASEAN-led regional architecture," Yoon said during his opening speech, referring to the Aug. 18 Camp David Summit between U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and himself.

"The Republic of Korea, the U.S. and Japan have committed to coordinating our Indo-Pacific strategies, and exploring new areas of cooperation. To this end, we have initiated the annual trilateral Indo-Pacific dialogue and launched the trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation Framework, aiming to support the maritime security capabilities of Southeast Asian and Pacific island nations."

President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang sit at ASEAN Plus Three Summit at Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia, Wednesday (local time). Yonhap

Yoon's opening remarks highlighted the importance of the strengthened ties between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo, stressing that the three countries fully support the concepts of ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific. The concepts are pursued by ASEAN with the view that it must be the dominant regional platform to overcome common challenges and engage with external powers in the region.

In the following ASEAN Plus Three Summit, which adds Japan and China into the discussion, Yoon said he seeks to "closely communicate with the Japanese and Chinese governments" in order to resume trilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the South Korea-Japan-China Summit.

"Just as the improvement in South Korea-Japan relations has opened new doors for cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan, bolstered cooperation between South Korea, Japan and China can serve as a platform that opens up a new chapter in ASEAN Plus Three cooperation," Yoon said.

Experts said it is noteworthy that Yoon's comments came amid recent developments in the diplomatic dynamics between ASEAN and China.

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ASEAN member nations had been maintaining relatively closer relations with China over the U.S., but adverse signals are emerging after the Chinese government published on Aug. 28 a new standard map depicting its expansive maritime and territorial claims in the South China Sea.

This triggered inflamed responses from a number of ASEAN countries, with Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam releasing official statements denouncing China's new map.

"If there is an anti-China sentiment growing within ASEAN, following the map and other developments, Yoon may use this as a chance to expand the influence of the bloc of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan in the region, by telling ASEAN that 'If China is not the option, you can find us as the new partner,'" said Go Myong-hyun, a senior fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

"Yoon's reference to ASEAN Centrality can also be interpreted in this context, as a counterbalance to Beijing's pursuit of China-centric diplomatic policies."

In line with this, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said during the ASEAN Plus Three Summit that "disagreements and disputes may arise between countries due to misperceptions, divergent interests or external interference." Li added, "It is vital that you face issues squarely removed from misunderstandings and keep the differences in check."

President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida listen to Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaking during the ASEAN Plus Three Summit at Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia, Wednesday (local time). Yonhap

During the South Korea-ASEAN summit, Yoon and ASEAN leaders adopted a joint statement on ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, with Yoon noting that the landscape for cooperation between South Korea and ASEAN members has expanded after Seoul last year adopted its new regional strategy, called the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI).

The KASI was announced at last year's South Korea-ASEAN summit. Unlike Seoul's previous ASEAN policies, which focused mainly on expanding economic partnerships, the new initiative states that it seeks strategic coordination with the region including in the areas of national security and defense.

For national security cooperation, Yoon proposed expanding collaboration in the defense industry, consultations between national defense authorities and regional maritime security.

Yoon stressed that "peace and stability in the South China Sea are essential for the prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region," and pledged to make efforts to enhance ASEAN members' maritime law enforcement capabilities and expand combined training to enable stronger maritime security. The support will include South Korea providing decommissioned warships.

On the economic front, the South Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Flagship project will be launched next year, to enhance the ASEAN youth's capacity in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills and accelerate collaborative development of AI-based services.

Yoon also announced South Korea's plan to contribute to the sustainable development of four Mekong River countries ― Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam ― by donating $1 million to the Mekong River Commission next year.

To address the common challenges that the world is facing, Yoon said South Korea will assist ASEAN's battle against climate change through the Partnership for ASEAN-South Korea Methane Action. Also, the two sides will cooperate in producing vaccines and developing treatments for infectious diseases.

During the summit, Yoon also asked for ASEAN's attention regarding South Korean city Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030, stressing the history of the city hosting South Korea-ASEAN summits twice in 2014 and 2019.

"I ask for your support for Korea's endeavor in that regard so that Busan can once again contribute to building a better future in the Indo-Pacific region and for the entire humanity," Yoon said.