[ASEAN-Korea summit] Korea, ASEAN must work together to face new challenges: Moon

President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday called for stronger cooperation among South Korea and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, saying the 21st century is the “era of Asia.”

Addressing the leaders of ASEAN attending the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit in Busan, Moon urged closer cooperation and solidarity among the 11 nations in facing global issues. 

“We face new challenges such as protectionism and cross-border crime, (as well as the) fourth industrial revolution. Only cooperation and solidarity among us can overcome those challenges,” Moon said.

Adding that the world cannot foresee the changes the fourth industrial revolution will bring, Moon called for Korea and ASEAN to strengthen ties to become a community that “cooperates for peace and prosperity for everyone.”

“The ‘spirit of Asia’ that accepts everything -- nature, people, nations -- is a wisdom Asia proposes to the world. If Korea and ASEAN share the ‘spirit of Asia,’ we can turn new challenges into success.”

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)