Closer Cooperation Between the Republic of Korea and Singapore in an Era of Uncertainty

By Amanda Huan

RSIS and the Busan University of Foreign Studies co-hosted a workshop titled “Closer Cooperation Between the Republic of Korea and Singapore in an Era of Uncertainty” on 19 October 2018. In their welcome remarks, Amb Ahn Young-jip, the Republic of Korea’s ambassador to Singapore, and Amb Ong Keng Yong, Executive Deputy Chairman of RSIS, spoke about the close relations between both countries, and the need for greater collaboration and closer socio-cultural ties.

The workshop was attended by academics, members of think tanks, government officials, and students. It covered a wide spectrum of Singapore-Korea issues including the Korean peninsula crisis, ASEAN centrality and economic cooperation, Korean soft power, and global mobility. On the Korean peninsula issue, Assoc Prof Shin from Korea University spoke about the difficulties in resolving the situation, but highlighted that trust-building remains the key to ameliorating the situation and that both South Korea and Singapore hold important roles as bridging states in dealing with the crisis.

Amb Kim Young-sun, former secretary-general of the ASEAN-Korea centre, spoke on Korea-Singapore cooperation with regard to a more integrated ASEAN in the era of the fourth industrial revolution. He mentioned that the MoUs signed between Korea and ASEAN on initiatives such as biotech, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things could help bridge the region’s digital divide and foster economic inclusion.

In his closing remarks, Amb Ong Keng Yong thanked the organisers for a successful workshop and stressed the importance of enhancing ties for inclusive growth. He concluded with a suggestion that Singapore and Korea should work closely together in spearheading innovation and development, and that he was looking forward to future cooperation between both countries.