Seoul can help to regulate Mekong’s flow
In 2017, South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced the “New Southern Policy”, which is aimed at deepening relations with Southeast Asia to the extent that four other major powers — the United States, China, Japan and Russia — have done.
In his tenure, he has visited all 10 Asean member states, and last month he embarked on a week-long journey across Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.
The conclusion of his trip fulfilled his campaign promise to engage with the bloc ahead of the third Asean-ROK Commemorative Summit, which will be held in Busan on Nov 25-26 to mark the 30th anniversary of the country’s dialogue and partnership with Asean, which will be followed by the inaugural Mekong-ROK Summit.
Thana Boonlert
