S. Korea, ASEAN to seek stronger cooperation amid Middle East crisis, advance partnership vision

South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were set to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation Wednesday amid the Middle East conflict while advancing the implementation of their comprehensive strategic partnership vision, officials said.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will co-chair the Korea-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting with his Thai counterpart later in the day in Manila, where a series of ASEAN-related ministerial meetings will take place through Thursday.

The meeting is expected to underscore the importance of closer cooperation between South Korea and ASEAN amid renewed tensions in the Middle East and other global challenges, according to ministry officials.

South Korea and many ASEAN member states rely heavily on energy imports, making them particularly vulnerable to disruptions in global energy supplies and key maritime trade routes.

After the plenary session of the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting Tuesday, the member states expressed serious concern over renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran, warning that the conflict could further disrupt r ...