Ahn Duk-geun, Korea's top trade negotiator, sixth from right, attends a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership meeting of ASEAN ministers in Siem Reap, Cambodia, Sept. 17. Yonhap

By Lee Kyung-min

Korea's trade minister and top trade negotiator have reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in trade and supply chain issues with the country's peers on a recent visit to countries in the Asia-Pacific regions, the trade ministry said Sunday.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang and the country's top trade negotiator, Ahn Duk-geun, attended a meeting of economic ministers at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Siem Reap, a town in northwestern Cambodia, from Sept, 16 to 18 (local time).

The three-day meeting was the first face-to-face event, three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the 10 ASEAN member states and other partners were able to resume constructive dialogue in the midst of fierce economic competition around the world, the ministry said.

Ahn met with trade authorities of the Philippines, New Zealand and Australia for strengthened cooperation in key minerals procurement and trade issues.

Among the joint visions Korea shared with its peers included fine-tuning a mid- to long-term development plan to advance Industrial capabilities. He also sought support for Korea's bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan.

Lee and Ahn agreed to strengthen ties following the 2009 Korea-ASEAN free trade agreement (FTA), as underpinned by cooperation in industrial technology, digital and climate change concerns and establishing the effective utilization and implementation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

RCEP is a free trade agreement among the Asia-Pacific nations, including 10 ASEAN countries, Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Many ASEAN members shared the progress of the Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea (TASK) project led by five countries and agreed to launch joint research programs to better prepare a long-term vision for official development assistance (ODA) in the industrial and energy sectors. ODA refers to government aid specifically targeting the economic development and welfare of developing countries.

"The government will continue to maintain close relations with key trade partner countries to better navigate global uncertainties brought on by supply chain issues and geopolitical volatilities," the ministry said in a statement.