Asean, Korea relationship the subject of retreat event

GYEONGJU, South Gyeongsang - The Asean-Korea Center yesterday kicked off a media retreat in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of a dialogue between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Korea.

The two-day workshop was held at the Hilton Hotel in Gyeongju, South Gyeongsang.

The first day consisted of a set of briefings assessing Asean-Korea relations and Asean’s global status.

Lecturers included Ambassador Hur Kyung-wook, former permanent delegation of Korea to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); John Delury, a professor at Yonsei University; and Kim Yoon-hee, the executive director of Asia Society Korea Center.

Topics covered recent developments in North Korea, the status and future of Korea’s economy, and Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, as soft power. A question-and-answer session followed each presentation.

More than 60 people, including ambassadors and other diplomats in Korea from Asean member states, attended the seminar.

Journalists from major Korean outlets and other media organizations were present as well.

The event was also intended to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Asean-Korea Center. The center, an intergovernmental organization with Korea and the 10 Asean member states, aims to strengthen relations among those parties.

Events scheduled for today include a visit to Gyeongju’s historical and cultural heritage sites and a luncheon for officials, hosted by Gyeongju Mayor Choi Yang-sik.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [ejpark@joongang.co.kr]