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ASEAN Community

nearly 4,000 Korean companies are currently operating in the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (Illustrative photo: vietnamtimes.org.vn)

RoK to seek closer ties with ASEAN

The Republic of Korea (RoK) will make efforts to expand economic exchanges and cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to address anticipated changes in the global trade environment after the new US administration signaled plans to implement protectionist measures, according to its Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Tourists in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: VNA)

Thai council urges ASEAN unity in US trade talks

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) of Thailand has recommended that Thailand collaborate with other ASEAN nations to negotiate trade agreements with the US to avoid high import tariffs and penalties.

Logo of the Asean National Police (ASEANAPOL) (Photo: ASEANAPOL)

ASEANAPOL enhances crackdown on scam call centres

The Asean National Police (ASEANAPOL) will prioritise the elimination of scam call centres linked to trafficking in persons and forced criminal activities as part of its regional action plan this year, Director for Plans and Programmes of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat Police Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Nguyen Huu Ngoc has said.

Secretary-General of Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman (Photo: Bernama)

Australia to become ASEAN tourism partner

ASEAN tourism ministers have unanimously agreed to establish the ASEAN-Australia Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, a new initiative aimed at fostering deeper collaboration in the tourism sector.

A foreign beggar in the Asok-Nana area (Photo: bangkokpost)

Thai MP raises alarm over beggars exploiting children

A Thai member of Parliament (MP) is calling on the government to address the growing issue of foreign beggars in the Asok-Nana area, particularly those who bring children with them to increase their earnings.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet and the Vietnamese delegation at the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) in Langkawi, Malaysia. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam makes positive contributions to AMM Retreat: Deputy FM

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM)’ Retreat held in Langkawi, Malaysia, was a success, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of SOM Vietnam Do Hung Viet has said, highlighting Vietnam’s positive contributions to the conference.

Participants at the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (Photo: asean.org)

ASEAN members agree to build safe digital environment

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Jantararuangtong said that participants at the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (ADGMIN) have agreed that online fraud and call centre gangs are urgent issues that require a collective effort to address.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (L) meets with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Malaysia on January 19. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM, FM meets with Singaporean FM in Malaysia

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Malaysia on January 19.

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan (center) delivers a speech at the National Working Meeting of Barantin in Jakarta on January 16, 2025. (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia focuses on technology to enhance quarantine systems

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan on January 16 called on the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) to strengthen its human resources, upgrade laboratory facilities, and harness information technology to bolster the nation’s quarantine capabilities.

Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-shik (front row, centre) poses with ASEAN member nation envoys and government officials during a luncheon in Seoul. (Photo: Courtesy of Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat on X)

RoK reaffirms commitment to ASEAN-focused diplomacy

Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Woo Won-shik has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ASEAN-focused diplomacy and its active role in ASEAN-led mechanisms when he hosted a luncheon for diplomatic envoys from 10 ASEAN nations in Seoul on January 16.