South Korea on Wednesday unveiled details of its Indo-Pacific strategy, which is focused on promoting freedom, peace and prosperity by establishing «a rules-based order.»
In its final report on the strategy, the South Korean government has detailed that it will follow nine «fundamental» lines to fulfill its vision of a «free, peaceful and prosperous» Indo-Pacific region under the cooperative principles of inclusiveness, trust and reciprocity, Yonhap reported.
These nine lines include building «a regional order based on norms and rules,» cooperation to promote the rule of law and human rights, strengthening non-proliferation and counter-terrorism efforts across the region, as well as expanding comprehensive security cooperation.
The remaining five relate to building economic safety nets, strengthening cooperation in critical domains of science and technology, bridging the digital divide, leading regional cooperation on climate change and energy security, engaging in «contributory diplomacy» through tailored development cooperation partnerships, and promoting mutual understanding and exchanges.
The presidential office has detailed that the strategy projects «the values of freedom and solidarity», values emphasized by President Yoon Suk Yeol during his inauguration speech and in his address to the UN General Assembly in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the agency.
«The Indo-Pacific strategy of the Yoon Suk Yeol government will become a milestone in securing the values and national interests pursued by South Korea and expanding the horizon of our foreign policy in an Indo-Pacific region whose strategic importance is growing day by day, and where the causes of challenges lie,» the presidential communications office wielded in a statement.
This report comes at a time when tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul have been on the rise in recent months, all this after North Korea launched dozens of ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, in addition to a missile that crossed the territorial demarcation between the two Koreas for the first time since the war between the two countries in the 1950s.
The document has also been published months after China’s escalation over Taiwan, when the Asian giant threatened to take action on the island following a visit to the Taiwanese authorities by U.S. Congress Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS SOUTH KOREAN STRATEGY The United States has welcomed South Korea’s adoption of its new Indo-Pacific strategy, saying it is a «reflection» of their mutual commitment to security and «growing prosperity in the region».
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan remarked that the South Korean strategy establishes «a comprehensive approach» that demonstrates «the commitment of President Yoon and the Korean people to upholding universal values such as the rule of law and human rights,» according to a White House statement.
«North Korea’s goal of expanding its cooperation with other allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific will strengthen our common ability to promote international peace and security, as well as nuclear nonproliferation,» Sullivan said.
In this regard, the White House National Security Advisor said that South Korea’s strategy «will enhance the region’s economic safety nets, cooperation in science and technology,» as well as engagement on climate change and energy security.
«We appreciate the leadership of President Yoon and South Korea, and congratulate the South Korean people on their new strategy, which will help the United States and our partners move toward a free, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific,» Sullivan stressed.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
