The Republic of Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak has vowed to boost his country's economic cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and for improved relations in all other areas, including the cultural and diplomatic sectors, said Yonhap.
"Asia's role and responsibility in the international community remained relatively small in the past. But in recent years, especially as we entered the 21st century, Asia has emerged as a great power in the world in economic and many other aspects," Lee was quoted as saying in emphasizing better ties between RoK and the 10-member ASEAN.
The president also called for joint efforts to fight the global economic crisis, saying no country can overcome the crisis on its own.
As a way of increasing financial cooperation within the region, Lee said the countries must work to build a strong bond market within the region and fight all forms of trade protectionism.
The RoK president is set to hold a special summit with leaders of the regional body on June 1-2.
President Lee said the upcoming summit, to be held on RoK resort island of Jeju, will be an important opportunity to strengthen ties between RoK and Southeast Asian nations, as well as to begin free trade.
ASEAN is already RoK's third-largest trading partner next to the United States and China, while RoK is the fifth-largest to ASEAN, President Lee noted./.