South Korea's aspiration to become a global pivotal state (GPS) will help countries in the Indo-Pacific region address crises, the East Asian nation's Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Youngsam told media in Seoul.
Mr Choi addressed the World Journalist Conference hosted by the Journalist Association of Korea, April 24–29. About 50 international journalists, including five from Southeast Asia -- Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia -- were invited to attend the event.
His speech focused on South Korea's aspiration of becoming a GPS by implementing the country's Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to increase global engagement.
He explained that South Korea's GPS aspirations are based on freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Mr Choi said that the Indo-Pacific strategy was launched in December last year by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.
"Korea is seeking to have its own vision of global pivotal state or GPS. If you have Korea as your friend, you do not need to worry about where to go in the future." — Choi Youngsam, South Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister
He said the strategy not only supports South Korea's interests but will benefit the region.
Part of the strategy's framework emphasises working collaboratively with other countries to ensure peace in the Indo-Pacific, Mr Choi said.
"I believe all of us here can agree at least on two things," he said.
"First, we are living in a world of 'polycrisis' -- the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, global technological competition, supply chain disruption, and recently the Ukraine war. I think we are profoundly aware of it," Mr Choi said.
"Of course, North Korea's proliferation of nuclear activities remains a direct threat to the region and beyond," he said.
"Second, we are all aware we have to solve these challenges together because we are interconnected," he said.
"In this context, Korea is seeking to have its own vision of a global pivotal state, or GPS. If you have Korea as your friend, you do not need to worry about where to go in the future."
Mr Choi said there are three principles in the Indo-Pacific strategy -- inclusiveness, trust and reciprocity.
Under these three principles are nine core ideas.
He said they include establishing an Indo-Pacific regional order based on rules and shared norms, promotion of the rule of law and human rights, strengthening non-proliferation and counterterrorism efforts, and enhancing comprehensive security cooperation.
It would also include the expansion of economic security networks, the promotion of science and technology cooperation and contributions to bridging the digital divide, leading regional cooperation on climate change and energy security.
It likewise includes the promotion of tailored development cooperation partnerships and the facilitation of mutual understanding and exchanges.
"We will neither target nor exclude any specific nation," Mr Choi said.
"We will work with any partner that shares our vision under the principle of cooperation. Our partnership will be imprinted with deep mutual trust," he added.
"Trust is an integral part of our vision that addresses regional and global challenges together. And we will seek mutually beneficial cooperation for a prosperous Indo-Pacific region," he said.
South Korea has worked towards maintaining good relationships with various regions, including Asean, he said.
"Within this strategy, Korea will work beyond the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia; for example, we will work closely with countries, other regions, including Asean through the Korea-Asean Solidarity initiative, or KAS for short."
Mr Choi said President Yoon told the Asean-Korea Summit held in Phnom Penh in November last year that South Korea would aim to upgrade and elevate its partnership with Asean.
As part of this, South Korea would help strengthen political-security cooperation in addition to existing economic, social and cultural cooperation initiatives.
Furthermore, he said such initiatives would help reaffirm Asean as an important partner for regional peace and common prosperity.
Before KAS, South Korea and Asean have been working under the "2021-2025 Asean-Republic of Korea Plan of Action to implement the Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity and Partnership". Such a partnership, he said, has been deepening and enhancing strategic partnerships and friendly relations.
Mr Choi said its goal is to foster mutually beneficial, meaningful and practical cooperation between South Korea and the region in areas such as politics, economics, socio-cultural areas and sustainable development.
Mr Choi further said South Korea supports Asean centrality and the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
He said South Korea had been a key supporter of democracy and human rights, such as by co-hosting the recent democracy summit with the US and its ongoing support of humanitarian efforts, such as providing aid for those affected by the Russia-Ukraine war and the quake in Turkey.
South Korea has also co-sponsored a UN resolution condemning North Korea's human rights violations and launched the first human rights report on the North last year.
Furthermore, he said that South Korea would help the third Summit of Democracy next year to play a leading role in the promotion of democracy around the world.
In this light, he also urged support for South Korea to be elected as a UN Security Council Member for 2024-2025.
"Korea will try its best to promote international peace and democracy," Mr Choi added.