South Korea’s president says country to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN to stop transnational crimes

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that his country will strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to stop transnational crimes and eliminate organized crime networks.

"Organized criminal networks such as scam centers have been proliferating across border areas often where law enforcement is weak. Unfortunately, many young people are falling victim to transnational crime," Lee said during his first attendance at the ASEAN-South Korea Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia held as part of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings.

South Korea has intensified diplomatic efforts and investigations into transnational crimes, including operations to locate and rescue its citizens from criminal groups, after a South Korean college student was reportedly tortured and killed in August by an online scam syndicate in Cambodia after being lured there with a fake job offer.

The Korean National Police Agency and ASEAN Chiefs of National Police, or ASEANAPOL, will strengthen cooperation, he said.

Lee also stated Seoul's initiative to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with ASEAN.

The three visions he proposed to deepen ties include making South Korea a "contributor to ASEAN’s dreams and hopes," a "springboard" for the bloc’s "growth and innovation," and a "partner for peace and stability," including in areas such as transnational crime and maritime security.

By combining ASEAN's growth potential with South Korea's strength, both sides can jointly "shape an ecosystem that creates new opportunities, fostering inclusive growth, open markets," Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said during his opening remarks.

Lee also proposed hosting a South Korea-ASEAN summit in 2029.

In 2024, trade between South Korea and ASEAN exceeded $200 billion, reflecting "the strength and resilience of our great ties," according to Anwar.