The ASEAN-Korea Centre opened in Seoul 10 years ago. Can you give a brief background on the center?

The ASEAN-Korea Centre was established to boost exchange and cooperation between Korea and ASEAN member countries in all areas including trade, investment, tourism, and exchanges of culture, people and academia. We have been organizing about 50 programs a year to deepen and broaden Korea-ASEAN relations. In particular, we also focus on exchanges between Korean and ASEAN students and run a number of exchange programs.

Seoul is promoting the so-called 3P cooperation vision comprising people, peace and prosperity with ASEAN. What role can the ASEAN-Korea Centre play in implementing this vision?

People are our top priority among 3P’s values of people, peace and prosperity. This means that we aim to make Korea and ASEAN close neighbors by promoting people-to-people exchanges as much as possible. We have strived to create a community in which both sides better understand and respect each other through people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the dialogue relationship between Korea and ASEAN. What outcomes have been seen during that period?

The history of cooperation between Korea and ASEAN is in line with that of Korea’s economic development. When Korea established its dialogue relationship with ASEAN in 1989, its per capita GDP was USD 5,700, but this figure exceeded USD 30,000 in 2018. Korea’s trade with and investment in ASEAN countries have remarkably contributed to the achievements in ties seen over the last 30 years. With the expansion of business cooperation, bilateral collaboration in culture and tourism has also expanded. Korean pop culture, or Hallyu, is also widely loved by people in the ASEAN region and become an inseparable part of TV entertainment for every household there. Last year, more than 9 million Koreans visited the ASEAN region and 2.5 million people from ASEAN member countries came to Korea, deepening understanding between the people of both sides.

ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Lee Hyuk poses with the national flags of Korea and ASEAN member states. He said his goal is to make Korea and ASEAN close neighbors through people-to-people exchange.

Why is cultural exchange between Korea and ASEAN so important?

Understanding the culture of a country makes you love and respect the country and its people more. The ASEAN region is the favorite travel destination for Koreans. With a higher understanding of ASEAN member countries, Koreans will love the region and enjoy their trips there more. The same applies to relations between countries and economic cooperation. Cultural exchange is the starting point for people to understand each other, become friends, and respect other countries and their people.

A series of events will be held next month to celebrate the upcoming summit between Korea and ASEAN. Which ones would you especially recommend?

One is the ASEAN-Korea Train from Oct. 15-19. Officially titled “ASEAN-Korea Train: Advancing Together,” this program will have delegations from ASEAN member countries and people from the ASEAN region living in Korea will participate in a special five-day train trip to Seoul, Busan and Gwangju to learn more about the 3P vision and enjoy celebratory events. And on the eve of the commemorative summit on Nov. 24, a K-pop festival will take place in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. I hope that many of you can go and enjoy the festival.

What is your message to Korea.net readers from the ASEAN region?

I appreciate your love for Korea and hope that many of you love Hallyu and visit Korea. Though you might discover Korea through TV dramas and films, I hope that you can come to Korea to experience the country and love this society.