President Moon Jae-in has become the first South Korean president to visit all ten ASEAN nations.<br />During his trip to Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos this week,... he expanded many areas of cooperation.<br />And he collected support in the ongoing trade spat with Japan.<br />Our Park Hee-jun reports. President Moon Jae-in’s ASEAN trip to Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos this week,... could not have come at a better time as a wider scope of diplomacy is required now more than ever.<br />"Under the situation where the global value chain is being reshuffled due to the U.S.-China trade war and Japan’s trade restrictions, ASEAN and India have greater strategic significance as not only a global production base, but a consumer market and direct investment market."<br />President Moon began his ASEAN trip looking to gather support from Southeast Asian nations regarding the trade dispute with Japan.<br />In an interview with the Bangkok Post prior to the trip,... Moon emphasized that Korea and ASEAN need to unite against the spread of trade protectionism.<br />And that was indeed on the table when the president held talks with his counterparts in Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.<br />According to the presidential advisor for economic affairs Joo Hyung-chul,... ASEAN countries also want economic advancement through free trade.<br />During the talks, they shared the belief that a fair, free trade order needs to be maintained.<br />But there will be competition for Southeast Asian nations' support,... as Japan has already established a large influence in those areas over many years.<br />The presidential advisor says competition and cooperation with Japan will have to coexist,... if Korea wishes to keep a strong presence in the area.<br />Nonetheless, Korea was successful in securing a wide range of cooperation with the three nations,... as part of President Moon's efforts to reduce Korea's economic dependence on Japan.<br />Korea and Thailand agreed to increase exchanges in technology related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.<br />And while Korea has notified Japan that it will not extend their military intel sharing pact,... it signed a similar agreement with Thailand this week, with Seoul and Bangkok agreeing to increase bilateral cooperation in defense and military intelligence. Korea also agreed to jointly develop infrastructure in Myanmar.<br />The two countries are working on a joint industrial complex, where Korean companies get easier access to the Myanmar market,... in return for their investment.<br />And in Laos, President Moon announced his vision for expanded ties between Korea and the Mekong region, agreeing to help develop infrastructure along the Mekong River.<br />All three nations also reaffirmed their support for the Moon administration's efforts to establish complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.<br />Park Hee-jun, Arirang News, Vientiane.<br />
