REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- South Korean Ambassador to ASEAN Baek Seong-taek hoped that the future Indonesian president will bring the nation to play a greater role in the Southeast Asian region.

"We (South Korea) hope whoever is elected as president in your country (Indonesia) will have a greater role in ASEAN to keep its peace and stability," said Baek here on Wednesday.

According to Baek, Indonesia as the largest democratic nation in ASEAN should be a role model on how elections could transform a nation into a more open and transparent democratic society.

"Up to now, we have witnessed Indonesia's role in bringing peace and stability in ASEAN, and how the country promotes dialogue over any tension that arises in the area," Baek noted.

Therefore, Baek added that South Korea expected the next leader to continue the role of Indonesia in the region, as well as in the relation between ASEAN and South Korea.

South Korea and ASEAN had commemorated the 25th anniversary of dialogue partnership in the areas of economy, politics, society, and culture.

"Korea expects more involvement with ASEAN community, particularly ahead of the ASEAN Economic Community that will start by the end of 2015. Thus, the two nations need to have a greater understanding to expand their relation," said Baek.

The relation between South Korea and ASEAN was initiated through sectoral dialogue in 1989 and then enhanced in 1990 through dialogue partnership.

South Korea was also included into the scheme of ASEAN Plus Three partnership with Japan and China in order to resolve the financial crisis in Asia in 1997.

Ever since, the relation between South Korea and ASEAN had been expanded through Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership established in 2004 and Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in 2010.

In 2012, the government of South Korea had established Mission of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to the ASEAN in Jakarta, where the ASEAN Secretariat was located.

The South Korean Mission was created to increase the cooperation between the country with ASEAN, which made South Korea the fourth nation that is an official envoy to ASEAN, after the United States, Japan, and China.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika