ASEAN-South Korean relations in the phase of East Asian regionalism

Abstract

To analyze the reasons and grounds of what have brought South Korea’s transition and ASEAN-South Korea relations in the context of East Asian regionalism affected by the rise of China, weakening market of the U.S. and EU, strengthening of EU regionalism and the likelihood of protectionism in the U.S; as ASEAN-South Korea relations particularly after 1997 crisis are enhanced by East Asian regionalism. Also, it the study covers on the increasing contact between ASEAN and South Korea at present, focusing on ASEAN-South Korea’s reinforced interdependency, ASEAN’s proactive diplomacy, South Korea’s upgraded international status, and South Korea’s “New Asia Initiative” diplomacy under the East Asian regionalism and regional multilateralism led by the rise of China. In the regional scope, South Korea and ASEAN are active participants of ASEAN+3 and East Asian Community; regarding the progress of ASEAN+1, there are dramatic achievements such as ASEAN-South Korea FTAs in goods (2007), investment (2009), and service(2009) in effect, ASEAN-South Korea Commemorative Summit (2009), ASEAN-South Korea CEO Summit (2009) the establishment of ASEAN-Korea Centre (2009).