Korea needs to plug political gap in ASEAN
By Kim Jae-kyoung
SINGAPORE ― The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is gaining attention, following the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) at the end of last year.
The region has not only rich natural resources and a high population but also huge development opportunities. With a combined GDP of $2.6 trillion, the ASEAN economy is the seventh-largest in the world and its population is the third-largest in the world with 622 million people.
According to a report by auditing company KPMG, an estimated $60 billion is needed per year until 2022 to fulfill all the infrastructure needs of the region. The energy and transport sectors are expected to make up the biggest proportion of this investment.
However, South Korea looks to be getting left behind in the global race to get the upper hand in this promising market. It is not because the country lacks global brands or powerful culture but because it has a weak political presence there.
ASEAN experts say that Korea’s economic and cultural visibility is improving a lot on the back of hallyu, or the Korean wave. But they are hesitant to say that Korea’s diplomatic and political relations with ASEAN are solid.
“Korea has seen robust growth in its economic and cultural presence in Singapore and other ASEAN nations but the country is lacking in political presence,” a Singapore-based political analyst said on condition of anonymity. “I don't think ASEAN leaders get the feeling that Korea has as solid a relationship with them as Japan and China do.”
This should be taken as a serious problem because such a perception could culminate in Korea losing out opportunities in the region, such as multibillion-dollar infrastructure deals. A country’s political influence and lobbying ability play a critical role in winning such deals.
Many argue that President Park Geun-hye’s foreign policy may be held accountable. She has not shown commitment to building relations with ASEAN, while placing greater emphasis on four great powers surrounding the Korean Peninsula ― the U.S., Japan, China and Russia.
Japan and China have pursued an ASEAN-centered strategy for a long time. Japan has already been a massive player in the region and China is expanding its efforts to build relationships there. Even the U.S. is paying close attention to ASEAN countries.
Compared to her counterparts from Japan and China as well as the United States, Park’s foreign policy has created the impression that she has less interest in ASEAN than in other areas.
For example, Japanese Prime Minister Shinjo Abe visited nearly all ASEAN countries since taking office, but Park has visited only a few of them and even some of her trips were not state visits but for special events, such as the funeral of Singapore’s late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Also, Park and her administration are not making use of ASEAN media to improve its political presence in the region.
“Singapore-based Channel NewsAsia, one of the most influential television networks in Southeast Asia, has asked for an interview with Park a couple of times but she rejected it every time,” said a source in Singapore, asking not to be named.
“Then they asked for an interview with a foreign minister but it was also rejected. ASEAN media is seeking to broadcast more voices from Korean leaders but they are discarding opportunities.”
In February, U.S. President Barack Obama granted an interview to Channel NewsAsia to share his views on ASEAN and stress the importance of the market. Japan’s ministerial-level officials often appear on media here to express their voices.
President Park and her ministers have no obligation to sit down with ASEAN media but this kind of effort is very conducive to solidifying relationships and strengthening a political presence in the region.
Once Japan and China become more entrenched in the region, it would be more challenging for Korea to make forays into the 10-member bloc.
The Korean government should acknowledge its role to lay the foundation to help Korean companies win mega deals coming from the AEC by building relationships and improving Korea's image there.
With the growing presence of Korean brands and culture, ASEAN leaders want to see a more sincere commitment from the Korean President and leaders and to expand exchanges beyond business and culture.
The AEC is a single market, with a free flow of goods, capital and skilled labor across borders in ASEAN, which consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.