Recasting Korea–Asean relations

At the Asean-Republic of Korea (ROK) Commemorative Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October, President Lee Jae-myung presented a five-year vision for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

- Suh Jeong In

CSP defines Korea as a contributor to the dreams and hopes of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), a springboard for growth and innovation, and a partner for peace and stability.

To translate this vision into reality, the political-security pillar must be strengthened with clearer direction and practical cooperation.

Over the past decade, South Korea's approaches — the Moon administration’s New Southern Policy and the Yoon administration’s Korea-Asean Solidarity Initiative (Kasi) — helped elevate ties but also revealed limitations.

The New Southern Policy (NSP) has broadened institutional engagement. Still, NSP has remained heavily economic and concentrated on Vietnam.

Kasi introduces a more Asean-tailored approach. Yet, its perceived alignment with the US Indo-Pacific Strategy raises questions within Asean members about Korea's strategic autonomy.

The CSP vision, by contrast, offers an opportunity to recalibrate Korea's security engagement in a more balanced and region-focused manner.