'New Southern Policy will enhance ties with ASEAN'

Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva

By Do Je-hae

Former Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva has shown strong support for President Moon Jae-in's New Southern Policy to strengthen ties with ASEAN. Since taking office in May 2017, Moon has place more priority on ASEAN diplomacy, completing visits to all 10 member states this year.

The former Thai leader, who will take part in the Kor-Asia Forum hosted by The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo today, noted the outcomes of Moon's trademark diplomatic strategy in a written interview with The Korea Times ahead of the event.

"ASEAN is already the second-biggest trade and investment partner of Korea. It is also the biggest tourist destination for Koreans. Nevertheless, in order to enhance relationships there are two aspects in particular that should be given more attention," Abhisit said.

"First, Korea should look beyond bilateral relations with individual ASEAN countries, and seek to enhance cooperation with ASEAN as a group. Second, in order to do so, Korea needs to have a clear national strategy with the political organization and will. Implementing the New Southern Policy is a perfect opportunity to do so."

The former prime minister assessed the 60 years of Korea-Thai relations. “Both countries have evolved and have weathered financial crises, and are in a good position to seek new areas of cooperation as both economies continue to mature.”

Earlier this month, both countries signed onto a provisional trade deal, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which consists of all 10 members of ASEAN as well as Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The conclusion of the Asia-Pacific mega trade deal is significant for regional co-prosperity.

“Beginning with both Korea and all the ASEAN countries being part of the RCEP, co-prosperity will reflect the fact that both sides seek to achieve economic progress through openness and belief in the strength of the East Asian region. At the same time, the whole region is being transformed by technological disruption and the need to address fresh challenges such as increasing inequality and climate change. So the path to prosperity will definitely involve some structural reforms on both sides.”

Also, he urged Korea to actively venture into the ASEAN market, which has long been dominated by Japanese companies. “There is great room for expansion of the Korean presence and investment in Thailand. There is a need to overcome the psychological barrier that Japanese investment appears to be dominant in the country because there is no reason why there would be discrimination or disadvantages for Korean businesses to operate in Thailand.”

Abhisit will be joined by former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and former ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh, among other dignitaries at the forum.