South Korea to be key partner of Asean digital transformation: Yoon

Next lap of ties to focus on tech, clean energy, says South Korean leader

- Wendy Teo South Korea Correspondent

SEOUL South Korea, a regional technology powerhouse, wants to partner South-east Asia as the region embraces the latest innovations in fields ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) to clean energy.

It is what President Yoon Suk Yeol calls among the "most noteworthy outcomes" under an Asean-South Korea comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) that will be established at the Asean meetings in Vientiane, Laos, later this week.

In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times, he said: "With Asean being one of the fastestgrowing digital markets in the world, mutually beneficial cooperation in the digital sector will create a synergy that brings tangible benefits to our peoples." South Korea, home to global leading tech companies such as Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and LG Electronics, is known for its innovative technology in advanced semiconductors, AI and quantum computing.

Mr Yoon said the country can help Asean by building high-performance computing infrastructure and data ecosystems, and training skilled workers in digital technology and AI.

"In addition, South Korea aims to support the Asean member states in their efforts to build capacity against the ever-increasing threat of cyber attacks by helping promote education in cyber security, and train experts in this field," he said in written replies to questions from ST. "Through these efforts, Korea will become a key partner of Asean's digital transformation." Mr Yoon is on a six-day trip to South-east Asia from Oct 6 to 11, visiting Manila, Singapore and Laos.

He arrived in Singapore from Manila on Oct 7 and will depart for Vientiane on Oct 9 for the annual Asean meetings.