Seoul (VNA) – Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea (RoK), has worked to enhance cooperation relations with ASEAN’s capitals across the fields of public transport and water treatment, aiming to lay a foundation for closer ties betw▨een the two sides.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon highlighted the aim while chairing a meeting with ASEAN ambassadors and charge d’affaires in the RoK on April 4. He said that since ASEAN and the RoK initiated sectoral dialogue relations in 1989, the two sides have seen robust development in their relations across multi-faceted fields based on strong similarities of history and culture. ASEAN has become the second largest trade partner of the RoK and the most popular destination for RoK tourists, the mayor said, adding that more than 330,000 ASEAN expats are residing in the RoK, playing a crucial role in developing the economy and building a multi-cultural society in the host nation. The Mayor of Seoul asked the ASEAN ambassadors and charge d’affaires to enhance information sharing on culture and policies to set up closer relations between Seoul and ASEAN capitals, stating that Seoul has been twinned with Hanoi, Jakarta, Bangkok and Vientiane. On behalf of the guests, Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Pham Huu Chi spoke highly of the RoK capital authorities’ efforts in intensifying relations with ASEAN capitals while affirming to support the progress. He also expressed his hope that relations between both sides’ capitals will further develop, contributing to elevating the ASEAN-RoK partnership to a new height. He took the occasion to thank Seoul’s authorities and local people for supporting ASEAN diplomatic agencies and people who are living and working there.-VNA