South Korean Ambassador to Thailand Lee Wook-heon has suggested ways to cooperate on enhanced connectivity at three levels -- Thailand, Mekong and Asean -- emphasising that connectivity has assumed even more importance since the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said recovery and promotion of connectivity not only at the physical and institutional level but at the people-to-people level is a key task. Mr Lee made his suggestions in welcoming remarks during the New Southern Policy (NSP) Connectivity Forum co-hosted by the Korea embassy in Thailand and the Mission of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to Asean, according to the Korean embassy to Thailand.
The forum was entitled "Strengthening Partnership for Connectivity in Thailand, Mekong and Asean," under the sponsorship of the Foreign Ministry.
He also proposed deepening pragmatic cooperation with the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand in areas such as smart cities and new and renewable energy, and promoting Mekong Sub-region connectivity through the Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF) and Korea's contribution to the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya–Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs).
He reiterated the importance of deepening collaboration on enhanced people-to-people connectivity between the Koreas and Asean, underlining the importance of expanding opportunities for future generations of Koreans and Asean interacting with each other.
Thani Thongphakdi, permanent secretary of the Foreign Ministry, said Covid-19 has served to emphasise the importance of interconnectedness and cooperation.
Mr Thani said Thailand has pushed forward the "Connecting the Connectivities" initiative to enhance synergies with various regional strategies including the New Southern Policy, whilst also looking forward to cooperation with partners for the effective implementation of the Asean Comprehensive Recovery Framework.
It should be our common goal to enhance people's livelihoods, well-being and welfare with no one left behind, as reflected in the NSP vision to build a "people-centered community of peace and prosperity," he said. He said the ROK, Thailand and Asean can cooperate further, in particular on science, technology and innovation, smart infrastructure and smart cities, green development, digital trade and digital connectivity.
The NSP Connectivity Forum was launched to take stock of Korea-Asean joint efforts on connectivity.