Asean-Korea Centre names former ambassador as sixth secretary general

Kim Jae-shin, newly appointed Secretary General of the Asean-Korea Centre [ASEAN-KOREA CENTRE]

The Asean-Korea Centre named former ambassador to Germany and the Philippines Kim Jae-shin as the sixth secretary general, the organization announced Tuesday.

Kim graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science and international relations from Korea University in 1979 and entered the foreign service in 1980. He has worked at Korean embassies in Japan, China, the United States and Myanmar, and served as the director-general of both the Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau and the Northeast Asian Affairs Bureau.

After holding the positions of ambassador to Germany and ambassador to the Philippines, Kim was the senior adviser for the Center for Japanese Studies at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security.

As this year marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Asean-Korea Centre and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Asean-Korea dialogue relations, Asean-Korea relations are expected to be elevated to a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” according to the organization. The Asean-ROK summit is set to be held in the second half of the year. ROK stands for Korea’s official name, the Republic of Korea.

Founded in Seoul in 2009, the Asean-Korea Centre is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to enhancing trade, promoting investment, boosting tourism and fostering cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Asean and Korea. Its membership consists of Korea and the 10 Asean member states.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]