President Lee Myung-bak's new diplomatic initiative with Asia has gained momentum following his visit to Southeast Asian countries last week. First, Lee's new approach toward the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has produced tangible results by strengthening the extent of cooperation with the regional body and its member states.
It is encouraging news that Lee came to advance Korea-ASEAN ties to a strategic partnership which would raise the nation's profile in the region. During the ASEAN+3 Summit and the East Asia Summit in Thailand, Lee promised to double the size of official development aid (ODA) to Asian countries by 2015. He also committed to allocate a bigger fund for climate change cooperation with ASEAN.
President Lee also appealed to the ASEAN countries to give support for his ``grand bargain" plan to solve the North Korea nuclear crisis. It is important to publicize Seoul's efforts for the resolution of the nuclear issue at the regional forum in order to help ease tensions and settle peace on the Korean Peninsula. By stepping up collaboration with the ASEAN members, South Korea can move toward co-existence and prosperity.
Especially, Lee has succeeded in forming better ties with Vietnam and Cambodia by making visits to the countries. He agreed with Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet to upgrade the present bilateral ties to a strategic partnership level. Lee also gained guarantees from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to bolster economic cooperation between the two countries. Hun Sen promised to extend the participation of Korean companies in developing natural resources and producing broadcasting content.
When it comes to diplomacy, practical interests are as important as political causes. During the Cold War period, South Korea had relied excessively on ties with the United States, Japan and other allies. But since the 1990s, the country has diversified its diplomacy by normalizing ties with China and Russia. It is natural for the country to emphasize the importance of relations with the ASEAN members.
That's why President Lee announced the new diplomatic initiative toward Asia in March this year. The initiative has been drawing keen attention as it is designed to diversify the nation's diplomatic focus on the so-called Big Four ― the U.S., Japan, China and Russia. Lee once said that the center of the world is moving from the West to the East. He has also sought to sign free trade agreements (FTAs) with all Asian countries, pledging to expand economic aid to developing nations in the region. In particular, the ASEAN states are emerging as stronger partners with South Korea. Trade with ASEAN surpassed $90 billion last year, with Korea enjoying a surplus of $8.3 billion.
However, South Korea is likely to face a potential backlash from China and Japan, which have been jockeying for regional hegemony in Southeast Asia. Therefore, it is necessary for Seoul to seek better understanding from Beijing and Tokyo about its diplomatic moves in the region. We hope President Lee will make strenuous efforts to make his initiative a success.