Minister of Defense, General Phan Van Giang

Participants hailed the Action plan for ASEAN-RoK Defense Cooperation compiled by Republic of Korea to specify its New Southern Policy in line with ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and guide ASEAN-RoK defense cooperation in the future.

As a collaborator of ASEAN-RoK relation, Head of the Vietnamese delegation, Minister of Defense, General Phan Van Giang appreciated the RoK’s contribution to ASEAN-led mechanisms. He said he believes that the RoK will successfully co-chair with Malaysia the ADMM+ Expert Group on Cybersecurity for the 2021-2023 period.

“Prioritized cooperative plans show that the RoK pays regard to regional security issues, including the East Sea issue and wants to work for regional sustainability and prosperity. The Vietnamese Defense Ministry hails and backs the RoK’s initiatives to improve capacity for ASEAN countries, including training on peacekeeping. Being a coordinator of the ASEAN-RoK relation in the 2021-2024 period, Vietnam will work closely with ASEAN countries and the RoK to reinforce defense ties and regional interests,” General Giang said. 

The Vietnamese Minister appreciated the RoK’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and thanked the country for helping ASEAN and Vietnam in fighting the pandemic.