‘Asean is our lifeline’: South Korea seeks realistic approach in deepening ties with region

SINGAPORE – Nothing is off the table as South Korea seeks to deepen ties with South-east Asia, with a key adviser to the South Korean President describing the relations as a “lifeline and not a luxury item”.

“The whole Asean region is very important to us,” said Dr Park Cheol-hee, chancellor of the state-affiliated think-tank Korea National Diplomatic Academy, which also trains South Korean diplomats.

“There is nothing that we cannot do here, and we have a great advantage in approaching this region,” he said.

“We have…