Jakarta (VNA) – Vietnam plays an increasingly important role in ASEAN, said Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK)to ASEAN Lee Jang-keun.

In a recent interview granted to Vietnam New Agency correspondents in Jakarta,Indonesia, he stated that since Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995, the country hasboasted rapid growth, and continues to increase its contributions to regionalcooperation and narrowing of the development gap in the region.

In 2020, Vietnam’s leadership asChair of ASEAN was instrumental in advancing regional cooperation to overcome and recover fromthe COVID-19 pandemic, he said, affirming that propelled by capacity as such,Vietnam played a pivotal role during the 43rd ASEAN Summit andrelated meetings on September 5-7.

According to the diplomat, the RoK and Vietnam established aComprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. President Yoon Suk Yeol made asuccessful state visit to Vietnam last June, which further boosted the alreadystrong relationship between the two countries.

Vietnamis the RoK’s biggest trading partner in ASEAN while the RoK is the No. 1investor in Vietnam, he said, adding that the Southeast Asian nation is alsohis country’s largest official development assistance (ODA) recipient.

“Vietnam is indeed one of the corepartners in the RoK’s cooperation with ASEAN,” he affirmed.

Since 2021, Vietnam has been acoordinator for ASEAN-RoK relations, he said, adding it has been vital, adroit and helpfulin facilitating dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.

UnderVietnam’s coordinatorship, the RoK and ASEAN successfully adopted a joint declaration on the cooperation on the ASEANOutlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) at the 24th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit on September 6.

Hesaid he personally worked closely with the Ambassador of Vietnam to ASEAN inJakarta and made joint efforts to expand and develop RoK-ASEAN relations to itsfullest potential.

Under Vietnam’s initiative, the twosides will observe and celebrate RoK-ASEAN Day in Hanoi on November 1 thisyear, he revealed.

“Ilook forward to continuing working closely with Vietnam as we aim to establisha Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and Korea next year,” henoted.

Regarding the East Sea, the RoK diplomat said as the East Sea carries one-third of global shipping, peace and stability in the region, therefore, is vital for ASEAN to become the epicentrum of growth. "The RoK is committed to upholding the rules-based order in these waters, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, based on international law including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," he stressed. The RoK is closely observing the progress in the on-going Code of Conduct negotiations, and looks forward to an effective and substantive Code of Conduct that is consistent with international law and respects the rights of third parties, he added./.