SEOUL — South Korea is taking a tougher stance on cybercrime networks in Southeast Asia while pushing to expand economic ties with ASEAN, senior officials said during a regional media briefing.
Since President Lee Jae-myung took office on June 4, Seoul has moved aggressively against scam syndicates operating in Cambodia after reports that South Korean victims were tortured or abused in online fraud compounds. Despite the diplomatic strain, ASEAN remains a top priority, officials said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae, speaking at a briefing organized by the ASEAN-Korea Centre, said the administration has revived and expanded the New Southern Policy to strengthen cooperation across the 10-nation bloc. Chung, who grew up in several ASEAN countries as part of a diplomat family, described the region as “deeply personal” and central to South Korea’s future.
ASEAN is already Seoul’s third-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached $192 billion in 2024, and the bloc remains the top destination for Korean tourists — nearly 9.64 million visits this year — as well as the third-largest destination for Korean investment.
Digital Push
South Korea is placing digital transformation at the center of its upgraded partnership. According to the ASEAN-Korea Centre, Vietnam remained Seoul’s largest ASEAN trading partner last year at $86.76 billion, followed by Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Thailand ranked sixth with $14.85 billion.
Chung said Seoul will support the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which could add up to $2 trillion to the region’s GDP by 2030. The plan includes expanding digital infrastructure, harmonizing regulations for cross-border data flows, strengthening e-commerce systems, and helping small businesses join online markets.
“Only one-third of SMEs in ASEAN engage in online business, and that number should really go up,” she said, adding that wider digital connectivity will unlock significant growth in cross-border commerce.
Cybercrime Response
Amid the rapid spread of online fraud centers in Southeast Asia, Seoul is launching a new initiative with ASEANAPOL targeting scam operations and emerging digital crimes, including cryptocurrency theft. South Korea will offer specialized cybercrime investigation training and deepen coordination among police and coast guard agencies.
Chung cited Cambodia’s establishment of a Korea Desk to handle cases involving South Korean victims as an effective model. But she warned that regional challenges are escalating. “Scam centres are just the start,” she said. “These crimes are evolving quickly, and we need stronger cooperation and pre-emptive measures.”
The broader security package includes a Korean Coast Guard academy for ASEAN partners, closer disaster-response cooperation, and expanded cybersecurity training.
Economic and People-to-People Goals
Seoul is also aiming to lift bilateral trade with ASEAN to $300 billion by upgrading the ASEAN–Korea Free Trade Area and reducing non-tariff barriers. South Korea is targeting cooperation in next-generation industries including smart cities, digital healthcare, semiconductors, clean energy, aerospace, and nuclear technologies.
People-centered exchanges remain another strategic pillar. Seoul plans to expand scholarships, youth mobility programs, and cultural initiatives, with a goal of increasing two-way travel to 15 million people annually. Existing cooperation includes the Global Korea Scholarship, the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival, and digital inclusion programs for women-led micro and small enterprises.
Looking toward 2029, officials said the upgraded ASEAN–ROK partnership — built around the themes of “Contributor, Springboard, and Partner” — aims to address aging populations, digital inequality, and transnational crime while broadening opportunities for shared economic growth.
“With stronger digital connectivity, security cooperation and people-centered exchanges, we are confident ASEAN and South Korea can navigate rapid technological change and build long-term peace and prosperity,” Chung said.
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