KUALA LUMPUR, 27 October 2025 – Lee Jae‑myung, President of the Republic of Korea, is set to present a major new diplomatic blueprint at the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, marking his first participation in the gathering since taking office in June.
Vision for Partnership and Peace
President Lee will unveil a refreshed framework for Korea-ASEAN cooperation called the “CSP Vision” (Comprehensive Strategic Partnership). According to his national security adviser, the framework is built around three pillars: positioning Korea as a “Contributor” to Southeast Asia’s youth; a “Springboard” for growth and innovation; and a “Partner” for peace and stability.
In a simultaneous diplomatic push, Lee also plans to roll out his “END” initiative for the Korean Peninsula, standing for Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization, aimed at ending the longstanding cycle of hostility between the Koreas.
Strategic Timing and Implications
The timing of this announcement is significant. Korea’s partnership with ASEAN was elevated last year, and Lee is now proposing to host a special Korea-ASEAN summit in 2029 to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
For Southeast Asia and the wider region, this diplomatic thrust signals several key shifts. Korea is not only reinforcing its economic and innovation ties with ASEAN, but also positioning itself as a strategic actor in regional peace and security. As Lee emphasised, Korea intends to deepen cooperation in future industries, including AI, digital transformation, health and energy, and to assume a more proactive role in responding to regional peace, security, disaster relief and maritime-security needs.
Challenges and Realities
While the vision is bold, its realisation will depend on multiple moving parts. Coordinating across 10 ASEAN member states with diverse priorities and navigating the evolving strategic landscape of East Asia will demand delicate diplomacy. Moreover, the success of the “END” initiative hinges on North Korea’s willingness to engage, and past experience suggests that meaningful progress is not easily achieved.
What to Watch
- Whether the CSP Vision is backed by concrete commitments or funding mechanisms for Korea-ASEAN cooperation in innovation and industry.
- How ASEAN member states respond to Korea’s expanded security-and-peace proposals, specifically, whether they welcome Korea’s deeper role in regional stability.
- The reception and traction of the END initiative: any concrete steps or dialogues between Seoul and Pyongyang that follow President Lee’s proposal.
