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| Participants at a roundtable hosted by The Korea Times discuss ASEAN-Korea efforts to fight COVID-19 at the newspaper office in central Seoul, June 15. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
The following is a summary of major points raised by the 11 guests at the roundtable, including preventive measures, cooperation within ASEAN and ASEAN-Korea cooperation in combating COVID-19. ― ED.
ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Lee Hyuk /
Roles of ambassadors, media increasingly important
The roles of ambassadors and media are increasingly important to bring ASEAN-Korea cooperation back on track amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ambassadors and their embassies have a larger role to play in promoting and facilitating partnerships with Korea, and therefore helping face-to-face exchanges that have been "almost impossible" and "virtually non-existent."
The media, particularly English newspapers in Korea, can contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and promoting the spirit of solidarity and camaraderie by providing information and positive narratives.
The pandemic has disrupted many parts of ASEAN-Korea relations, with year-on-year trade volume decreasing by 27 percent in April as an example.
But there is a need to see the disruption in a positive light, and identify opportunities that the crisis has opened up.
ASEAN and Korea can take full advantage of this situation to expand the horizons of cooperation into areas such as healthcare and digital technology.
While ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) programs remain unchanged on public engagement and outreach, many have been moved online as outdoor events and large-scale on-site gatherings are difficult. To accommodate the increased reliance on online programs, the AKC website is being upgraded.
The AKC started the "#Staying Connected with AKC" initiative recently. It includes research articles on various topics related to ASEAN and ASEAN-Korea relations, social media challenges and promotions and online lectures.
Among the upcoming programs are "ASEAN-Korea online animation business matchmaking program" (July 13-Aug. 14), "Seminar on economic impacts and perspectives of COVID-19 in ASEAN" (July 14) and "Seminar on ASEAN-Korea tourism in a post-pandemic world" (late August).
Brunei Ambassador Pg Hjh Nooriyah PLW Pg Hj Yussof /
ASEAN, Korea urged to keep markets, investment open
Brunei has been emphasizing containment measures and community engagement and adopted a whole-of-nation approach involving all relevant agencies.
The approaches include three major components ― maintaining public wellbeing, protecting jobs, providing support for individuals and supporting and assisting businesses.
The country newly built the National Isolation Center Building in Tutong District to treat confirmed positive patients as well as an additional National Virology Laboratory to increase the capacity and accelerate the testing process for COVID-19.
The Monitoring Centre offers services for foreigners, citizens and residents of Brunei who have traveled abroad and are undergoing self-isolation accordingly.
The government set up a relief fund with over 14 million Brunei dollars (12.2 billion won).
Regarding cooperation within ASEAN, it has activated communication and mobilization of regional health mechanisms to support member states' measures on a governmental level.
Brunei health professionals have been sharing experiences, medical expertise and data on emerging health crises and trends through the ASEAN Plus Three network of experts on public health.
In terms of ASEAN-Korea cooperation, the two sides can benefit from enhanced capacity-building and research opportunities in areas of epidemiology, clinical treatments and information and communications technology (ICT) among others.
It will be important to for the two sides to keep markets open for trade and investment and ensure regional supply chains and the flow of essential goods and services.
The existing mechanisms such as ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA) and signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) planned this year would help advance economic integration.
Cambodian Ambassador Long Dimanche/
ASEAN Plus Three crucial in combating pandemic
Cambodia has suspended T-visa, E-visa and visa on arrival issuance to ASEAN and all countries' citizens.
Other types of visas are still issued as normal, but a health certificate and insurance are required.
The implementation of social distancing, personal hygiene and avoiding large-scale meetings or gatherings is strongly recommended for all people.
The government has reserved $800 million to $2 billion to support the economy. It has contributed $20,000 to the United Nations COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to further strengthen global solidarity and multilateral cooperation to overcome this global crisis together.
The ASEAN cooperation includes ministerial meetings and the ASEAN Response Fund to COVID-19 that have helped member states to exchange information, experiences and knowledge and to mobilize financial resources.
Cambodia appreciates Korea for providing supplies worth $300,000 in May. This includes test kits through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
In relation to cooperation with Korea, all ASEAN leaders recognized the efforts of China, Japan and Korea during the Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19 held online in April.
The summit recognized the importance of ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve, which is a mechanism to enhance food security in ASEAN Plus Three, as well as support for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), medical professionals and healthcare workers and migrant workers.
It stressed further the important flow of economic and people-to-people exchanges, trade, investment and essential goods along the border as the growth engine of the global economy, as well as highlighting the significance of the signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year despite the health crisis.
Nothing is better than putting an issue on the table and discussing it together.
The more we talk within ASEAN and meet with dialogue partners, the more information and experiences we get in order to figure out the appropriate ways to overcome this pandemic.
Indonesian Ambassador Umar Hadi/
COVID-19 does not stop ASEAN from being resilient
ASEAN is and will remain strong and resilient in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ASEAN successfully weathered challenging times in the past including the Asian financial crisis in 1997. ASEAN, together with Korea, will always promote coordinated efforts in the fight against COVID-19 based on the spirit of solidarity and collaboration.
Indonesia itself has made a lot of progress in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
Indonesia is applying the approach of massive testing, aggressive tracing, quick treatment and active public participation. Indonesia continues to improve its testing capacity from previously 10,000 specimens per day to currently 26,000 specimens per day. The improved testing capacity was vastly improved by Indonesia's success in developing and producing its own RT-PCR test kit.
Not only has Indonesia been able to produce its own COVID-19 test kit, Indonesia has also successfully developed and produced its own emergency ventilators to treat COVID-19 patients. In addition to joining the global race in developing a COVID-19 vaccine, Indonesia is also taking part in joint collaborative research and development of a COVID-19 vaccine with biotechnology companies from other countries, including Korea.
Indonesia and ASEAN will always promote coordinated efforts with Korea in the fight against COVID-19 based on the spirit of solidarity and collaboration.
Lao Ambassador Thieng Boupha/
Health ministers' dialogue can help in tackling virus
If the COVID-19 pandemic continues spreading, business, trade and investment will decrease and domestic production will not return to normal soon.
Accordingly, Laos will carry out economic measures such as a mitigation policy on tax, banking credit and other necessary policies.
In the case of the pandemic in Korea, we see the number of deaths is quite low compared to other countries. I would like to offer our solidarity with the Korean government's efforts to tackle this unprecedented global health crisis.
It will be important for ASEAN and Korea to cooperate to produce a vaccine and hold high-level meetings on healthcare.
We support moves to hold an ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) health ministers' dialogue by using the ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund.
To minimize the negative repercussions on the global economy, we support maintaining the essential flow of economic and people-to-people exchanges, trade, investment and food and creating an environment for economic restoration by using financial measures.
Malaysian Ambassador Dato' Mohd Ashri Muda/
Pandemic is opportunity for Asia to lead transformation
Malaysia has been pursuing an aggressive mass-testing campaign and rigorous contact tracing.
Malaysia has also implemented the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) for more than three months.
The country has moved on to a new phase of MCO, called Recovery MCO with practices related to standard operating procedures (SOP) such as social distancing and other new normal ways of doing things including maximizing webinars.
Malaysia is also among the first countries to work with the World Health Organization for the "Solidarity Trial" research project in finding a potential cure for COVID-19. This involvement in a globally coordinated trial allows us to collect data, compare safety and effectiveness of treatment protocols using different drug combinations.
A coordinated and integrated recovery plan will be fundamental to ASEAN's future and resilience post COVID-19.
To stem the current economic downturn, ASEAN will need an ASEAN Economic Recovery Plan, in which I believe our Plus Three Partners, especially Korea, can play a crucial role to assist ASEAN as a regional block to ensure our economies are revived and the welfare of 660 million citizens of ASEAN is preserved.
With Korea's assistance, I am confident that ASEAN will maintain its market stability and prevent the potential risks of an economic recession.
On that note, Malaysia will share our findings with experts from ASEAN and Korea to pursue joint efforts in search of a vaccine.
I also would like to support the statement made by McKinsey Managing Partner Choi Won-Sik in his keynote speech during the 2020 Korea Times Forum in May 2020 that suggested the COVID-19 pandemic should be an opportunity for Asian countries to lead the transformation towards a new business environment.
The next "normal" will emerge from Asia with the beginning of the "Asian Century" after the pandemic, which should not slow down the arrival of the future of Asia.
Myanmar Ambassador Thant Sin/
Incheon serves as hub to bring Myanmar people home
Myanmar is a developing country. Thus due to financial restraints, medical equipment and supplies are in critical need during this kind of period.
However, I can say that now Myanmar can prevent the spread of the coronavirus by successfully controlling local transmission in our country.
Since this pandemic occurred in Myanmar, the government has set up Community Based Facility Quarantines, where food and daily required items are being provided by government agencies and local donors.
At the same time, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has made good use of social media by communicating with local people to provide awareness information on the coronavirus, although she has had no experience in the past.
As a result, most local communities are following her guidance such as making masks, washing hands frequently and adhering to social distancing. Public awareness is one of the crucial things in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar.
On behalf of the Myanmar government, I would like to thank the Korean government and other Korean donors who have donated COVID-19-related medical supplies to Myanmar during this difficult time.
With regard to our embassy in Seoul, we are arranging a relief flight weekly to bring home Myanmar nationals who are stranded throughout the world.
Since Incheon International Airport has been kept opened for travelers, our government has designated the airport as a transit point for Myanmar nationals. So our embassy is trying its best to accommodate all our citizens who wish to return home.
We, ASEAN, regularly organize meetings or conferences to assist each other by enhancing cooperation within ASEAN, with the ASEAN health ministers' meeting in April being an example.
Philippine Charge d'affaires Christian L. De Jesus/
Vaccine cooperation can bring region, world closer
The notable measures taken by the Philippines in combating COVID-19 include one of the world's longest Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine from March 17 to May 30, a stimulus package worth approximately $533 million to help affected workers and businesspeople, providing approximately $590 million funding to accredited hospitals and expanding testing capacity across the country.
It should be noted the Philippine response to the COVID-19 outbreak has achieved relative successes within a short period.
The government has strengthened its expanded targeted testing capacity. From a single national reference laboratory ― the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) ― a few months ago, we now have 43 accredited COVID-19 testing laboratories as of May 27.
Our testing capacity has also increased to 32,100 tests per day as of May 24 by using Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machines as the gold standard, way past our original target of 30,000 tests per day.
The Philippines expresses its sincere appreciation for the assistance extended by Korea within the framework of ASEAN Plus Three (APT), in particular the donation of 950 metric tons of rice under the APT Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR).
We are likewise very grateful for Korea's donations of $500,000 worth of medical supplies in the form of test kits.
Our partnership is unique in that both ASEAN and the ROK can look forward to expanding cooperation in preventing and controlling emerging and re-emerging infectious and communicable diseases as well as in disaster preparedness and responses against pandemic and emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), as outlined in the proposed ASEAN-Republic of Korea Plan of Action (2021-2025).
The Philippines' Department of Health has conveyed its concurrence to the project proposal "Enhancing the Detection Capacity for COVID-19 in ASEAN Member States using the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund."
I understand that clinical trials in Korea through the International Vaccine Institute and Seoul National University Hospital on vaccine research have begun this month.
We would appreciate it if the Philippines and other ASEAN countries may be made priority recipients of COVID-19 testing kits and the vaccine being developed by Korea, once available.
A vaccine may ultimately be instrumental in controlling this worldwide pandemic with finality.
I am confident that with our initiatives, together with cooperation with our partners like ASEAN and Korea, we will be able to adjust public health and social measures fully so that COVID-19 transmission is controlled.
Singaporean Ambassador Eric Teo Boon Hee/
No country can work alone in opening economy
Singapore has been able to keep one of the lowest death rates in combating COVID-19 by being aggressive in testing, especially for migrant workers who account for more than 90 percent of the infected.
Singapore will continue to watch the situation and take calculated moves to slow the spread of the disease but gradually reopen the economy in a calibrated way.
But no country can do this alone. Each country is safe only when all countries are safe as the virus does not recognize borders. We need to work together, bilaterally, regionally and even globally.
ASEAN should take it one step at a time to make sure that the virus does not rear its head again, with some member states geared toward opening up their economies and exploring "fast lane" arrangements with Korea and other partners.
ASEAN and Korea should make sure the momentum is not lost after the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan in November 2019.
Accordingly, ASEAN countries welcome the appointment of Park Bo-kyeong as the third chairman of the Presidential Committee on New Southern Policy.
We can learn from each other on handling COVID-19 going forward, including digitization cooperation.
We should all continue to support open and free trade and multilateralism, and not close up.
We should not despair and should start preparing for the "new normal." We can take the ASEAN-Korea relationship further forward which will be mutually beneficial for people ― a core element of the New Southern Policy.
Thai Ambassador Rommanee Kananurak/
Thailand plays roles for online ASEAN summit
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge that requires not only consolidated global cooperation to end to this crisis, but also a coordinated effort to revive the global economy.
ASEAN and Korea should work closely to guarantee their equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine and treatments as global public goods, and encourage an exchange of information and knowledge on vaccine and medical treatment development as well as capacity-building to strengthen our preparedness in the long term.
In cooperation within ASEAN and between ASEAN and Plus Three countries, the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19 was held on 14 April to coordinate a collective response.
The meeting agreed with Thailand's proposal for the establishment of ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund to help procure crucial medical supplies and equipment for a frontline response and to support prevention efforts in all member states.
The Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19 was also convened in April via a video conference.
The meeting supported Thailand's proposal to establish the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund. The Fund will also be used for R&D of medicines and vaccines to increase greater self-reliance in future crises.
I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Korea for its contribution of $5 million from the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund to the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund.
The Korean government has attempted to establish fast-track procedures to facilitate international business travel with a view to restoring supply chain connectivity as well as trade and investment with its economic partners.
Thailand is interested in applying this approach, and we hope to learn from the experience of Korea.
Korea is an important strategic partner of Thailand and has an effective system of controlling the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, we should discuss a way forward for reopening our business travel and people-to-people exchanges when it is appropriate.
Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tu/
Preventive action is behind Vietnam's return to normal
With regard to COVID-19 infection, we still have cases coming in but we successfully stopped them at the border and put them in isolation. That is why there have been no infections recently.
The ban on international travel is still effective. The success of Vietnam owes to rigorous isolation which had tremendous impact in the beginning, on incoming foreigners.
The Korean people who were under quarantine were surprised, some were upset in the beginning, but they have come to understand measures of Vietnam.
Vietnam has returned to normal. Still, we continue to be careful and not be complacent.
Both having successfully contained the virus, Vietnam and Korea are discussing how to normalize business trade with essential business people already coming in.
It was good to see cooperation between ASEAN and Korea over the related issues during the ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19 in April.
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