Kuala lumpur: First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo had brief encounters with the top diplomats of China and Japan in Malaysia, marking the first such in-person exchanges between senior diplomats of the three Asian neighbors since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung government. Park was seen approaching Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, followed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, exchanging handshakes and brief greetings with both ministers ahead of a multilateral meeting involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the three countries.

According to Yonhap News Agency, although brief, the interaction marked the first face-to-face encounter between a senior South Korean diplomat and the two ministers since the Lee administration took office early last month. Park was attending a series of ASEAN-hosted high-level meetings this week as the country's top representative, standing in for the foreign minister whose nomination is under way pending parliamentary confirmation. Details of their conversations were not immediately known.

In the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) session, Park highlighted the role of the APT framework as a major economic engine, accounting for over 40 percent of global growth. Taking note of South Korea's contribution to the various regional initiatives, ranging across financing, food, and security, Park expressed hope for continued joint efforts to address shared regional challenges.

Ahead of the APT session, Park attended the South Korea-ASEAN meeting, during which he reaffirmed South Korea's commitment to deepening ties with ASEAN under the Lee government, with an emphasis on sustainable growth and regional cooperation. Park highlighted Seoul's efforts to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) with the 10-member bloc, expressing hope for joint efforts to build a sustainable partnership with ASEAN. He particularly called for closer collaboration under the forthcoming plan of action for 2026-30, based on the agreed-upon CSP framework.

"Based on the new Plan of Action (POA), ASEAN and Korea will navigate our way forward to addressing challenges we face together, such as global supply chain uncertainties, climate change, and transnational crime, among others," Park said in the opening remarks. "The new POA will also serve as a guiding document to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation on future-oriented areas, including AI, digital transition, and green transition," he said. Park also underscored South Korea's support for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a long-term road map aimed at strengthening economic integration, enhancing regional security and stability, and promoting sustainable development.