Seoul (VNA) - The relations between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea (RoK)have become more diverse and closely connected beyond simply having diplomaticties, said Lee Hyuk, Secretary General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre at the MediaInvitation Roundtable held in Seoul, the RoK, on June 25.

According to Lee, they touch upon various sectors including society, culture,economy, and people-to-people exchanges.

“Moreover, the Korean government unveiled the New Southern Policy to elevate theRoK’s relationship with ASEAN to the level of its relations with the four majorpowers (the United States, China, Japan, and Russia)”, Lee said, adding thatthis policy is indeed timely at the time when ASEAN and the RoK are working closelytogether towards the realisation of One Community.

At the roundtable, RoK Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Soon-gu hasexplained to the event participants the current status of the New SouthernPolicy by the government of the RoK while Ekkaphab Phanthavong, PermanentRepresentative of Laos to ASEAN, shared the perspectives of ASEAN toward theNew Southern Policy.

The event, organised by the ASEAN-Korea Centre, is expected to be anopportunity for the Korean government to give briefings on the New SouthernPolicy in order to promote a mutually beneficial partnership between the twosides, and gain support from ASEAN and the RoK press.-VNA