Malaysian expert: General Secretary To Lam's visit to South Korea creates new momentum for ASEAN

From August 10-13, General Secretary To Lam paid a State visit to South Korea, opening a comprehensive step forward in bilateral relations and creating new momentum for regional peace and prosperity. Malaysian security and foreign affairs analyst Collins Chong Yew Keat of the University of Malaya commented that the visit not only raised the level of Vietnam-South Korea cooperation but also strengthened ASEAN's strategic role in the context of increasing regional competition.

Malaysian security and foreign affairs analyst Collins Chong Yew Keat of the University of Malaya. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking to VNA reporters in Kuala Lumpur, expert Collins Chong said the visit brought about outstanding results on all four main pillars of cooperation:

Politically , the two countries agreed to increase exchanges at all levels of the Party, State, and National Assembly, thereby strengthening strategic trust and institutionalizing cooperation.

Regarding security and defense, Vietnam and South Korea pledged to coordinate more closely in the defense industry, maritime security, mine clearance, peacekeeping , and counter-terrorism.

Economically , the two sides aim to increase bilateral trade and promote cooperation in key sectors such as nuclear energy, renewable energy, high-speed rail, finance and science and technology. In particular, cooperation on innovation will focus on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, strategic minerals, digital infrastructure and clean energy.

Regarding people-to-people exchanges, the two countries agreed to expand labor mobility programs, educational scholarships, cultural exchanges and tourism promotion, contributing to creating a solid social foundation for long-term relations.

General Secretary To Lam and South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min Seok witnessed the exchange of cooperation agreements between units and enterprises. (Photo: VNA)

According to Mr. Collins Chong, stronger cooperation between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea will strengthen ASEAN's central role in security mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+). The two sides' reaffirmation of support for the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, in compliance with the 1982 UNCLOS and promoting negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) has directly supported the bloc's maritime security goals.

On the regional economic front, the partnership will provide new impetus to ASEAN integration through infrastructure, energy and digital connectivity projects, while complementing regional supply chains. In a context where global trade is affected by geopolitical tensions and tariff fluctuations, the extensive cooperation between Vietnam and Korea opens up opportunities to diversify markets, attract high-tech investment and spillover to neighboring ASEAN economies.

Expert Collins Chong concluded that General Secretary To Lam's visit combined Korea's advanced industrial strengths with Vietnam's dynamic role in ASEAN, creating a new "rebound" for both bilateral relations and regional cooperation, towards a stronger and more cohesive economic-security structure in the coming decade.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/chuyen-gia-malaysia-chuyen-tham-cua-tong-bi-thu-to-lam-toi-han-quoc-tao-suc-bat-moi-cho-asean-215553.html