Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
ASEAN-Korea Centre hosts 13th connectivity forum
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Jae-shin, front row center, join hands with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General Lee Dong-gy, front row sixth from left, and Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat, front row fourth from left, along with speakers of the 13th ASEAN Connectivity Forum in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre
By Kim Hyun-bin
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Korea Centre hosted the 13th ASEAN Connectivity Forum in Seoul on Wednesday, bringing together senior officials and specialists to review the newly adopted ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan (CSP) 2026-2035 and to discuss future directions for ASEAN-Korea cooperation.
Opening the forum, Secretary General Kim Jae-shin acknowledged weather-related adversities that had recently affected communities across the region, expressing hopes that support would reach those most in need. He also welcomed delegates and highlighted the significance of the forum as ASEAN and Korea enter a new phase of partnership.
Kim noted that ASEAN-Korea relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year and that a plan of action was adopted to advance priority areas of cooperation. He added that ASEAN leaders had recently endorsed the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 alongside ACSP 2026-2035, underscoring the region’s push toward long-term, sustainable connectivity.
He emphasized that ACSP called for approaches that were innovative, people-centered and responsive to rapid regional change. Effective connectivity, he said, depended on learning from past experience while preparing for future shifts, particularly in the digital economy. Digital trade alone was projected to generate more than $100 billion in exports by 2030, he noted, illustrating the scale of transformation underway.
ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary-General Kim Jae-shin delivers opening remarks at the 13th ASEAN Connectivity Forum in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre
Delivering congratulatory remarks, Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat underscored that physical connectivity remained “a cornerstone of ASEAN’s shared prosperity,” enabling economic integration, stronger supply chains and new avenues for trade and investment. He highlighted Thailand’s infrastructure projects aimed at deepening regional linkages, including expanding double-track railways that connect Thailand with Mekong region neighbors and the planned high-speed rail connection with Lao PDR. He also referenced the three-airport linkage project between Bangkok and the Eastern Economic Corridor (a special economic zone of three provinces in eastern Thailand), as well as the opening of the fifth Mekong bridge between Thailand and Lao PDR.
Tanee said maritime connectivity was equally vital and outlined Thailand’s efforts to expand Laem Chabang Seaport, modernize Bangkok Port and explore a land bridge project to link the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. He added that “soft infrastructure” — regulatory coordination, cybersecurity, digital standards and streamlined procedures — was essential to ensure physical networks functioned effectively. ASEAN still requires significant digital infrastructure investment, he said, emphasizing Korea’s strength and technological expertise as a promising basis for deeper cooperation.
“Connectivity could only be achieved through collective endeavor,” he said, noting that Thailand, as country coordinator for ASEAN-Korea dialogue relations, was committed to working with all partners to advance the ACSP and ensure its benefits reached people across the region.
The forum also featured three sessions addressing cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners, resilient supply chains and the twin transitions of digitalization and sustainability. Speakers from ASEAN institutions, Korean research bodies and international organizations discussed regulatory reform, labor mobility, financial integration, climate action and sustainable urban development.
Kim said the forum served as a platform to assess implementation priorities for the next decade and identify new avenues for ASEAN-Korea cooperation in shaping a resilient and people-centered ASEAN community.