High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia(1)

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia

Indonesia, the largest economy in ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations), is one of the key counterparts of the New Southern Policy initiated by the Korean government.  

Bilateral relations between Korea and Indonesia have been continuously improved and were finally elevated to a special strategic partnership in 2017. Now the two countries have their 75th Independence Day, Korea on Aug 15th and Indonesia on Aug 17th, come just around the corner.

 

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(10)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

Unlike competitors heading forward, South Korea is often regarded encountered with shabby circumstance. Worries are prevailing that South Korea is way behind not only the running Japan but also the flying China. 

Prediction is that the ASEAN may play a crucial role of the last resort to save South Korea suffering from chronic weak growth. Needless to say, systematic approaches on a long-term perspective are desperately needed in the unprecedented era of the AEC.

 

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(9)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

For instance, Japan has been striving to enhance its clout on the AEC by devoting itself to heavy investment on the infrastructure and key industries. Korean business people navigating new growth engines have unanimously pointed out that Japanese business presence is dominant in the region. 

Moreover, China is speeding up recently by utilizing its extensive networks across the region. China has maintained robust retail and wholesale channels in most part of the ASEAN since around the 16~17th century when the Western forces first embarked on their rush to Southeast Asia.

 

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(8)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

Actually, Singapore has been importing housekeepers from its neighbors, Indonesia and the Philippines in particular. However, it will be highly likely that more human resources in various fields of the region will cross the borders of the ASEAN members with no limitation. 

In doing so, physical barriers will be torn down and regional exchanges and trades will be fairly accelerated. As a matter of fact, a global war without guns has been underway to attract the ASEAN actively stretching itself to the world. 

 

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(7)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

The economic clout will be further strengthened if the ASEAN succeeds in actualizing the AEC. Consequently, the influence of the AEC on the regional security issues will be growing bigger, too. 

Against this background, hopes are high that the beginning of the AEC will serve an opportunity to create a new landscape for the 21st century. A local expert in Indonesia pictures potential changes in the region that the AEC may bring in the upcoming days. "People in Vietnam will start to learn the Thai language to drive taxies in Bangkok."