S. Korean Army chief discusses strengthening partnership with ASEAN counterparts

South Korea's Army said it hosted the inaugural meeting between its chief and his counterparts from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members on Thursday. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su met with Gen. Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, the Malaysian chief of army; Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido, commanding general of the Philippine Army; Gen. Mao Sophan, the Royal Cambodian Army commander; and Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia, deputy commander in chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. The first Korea-ASEAN Armies Chiefs Conference took place in the central city of Daejeon. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su (C) poses with his counterparts from Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states during the first Korea-ASEAN Armies Chiefs Conference in Daejeon, some 140 kilometers south of Seoul, on Oct. 3, 2024, in this photo provided by the Army. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su (C) poses with his counterparts from Association of Southeast Asian Nat ions member states during the first Korea-ASEAN Armies Chiefs Conference in Daejeon, some 140 kilometers south of Seoul, on Oct. 3, 2024, in this photo provided by the Army. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) "Geopolitically and geoeconomically, South Korea and ASEAN are very closely connected," Park said. "Strengthening strategic networks of our ground forces is quite important in order to resolve elements that threaten security." According to the Army, multilateral security talks with ASEAN armies "will help create a support base for peace on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen multilevel security cooperation for a joint response to threats in the region." The Army added that stronger partnership between South Korean and ASEAN armies will help promote excellence of South Korean weapons systems and encourage cooperation between defense industries. The first part of Thursday's meeting had the army leaders assess the current security situation in the region. They discussed strengthening of strategic networks am ong ground forces in the second part. The South Korean Army will offer support for defense industry cooperation with ASEAN member states that use South Korean-built weapons and offer instruction for operations and maintenance personnel. The Army said it will continue to engage in multilateral security cooperation with ASEAN nations and also Indo-Pacific states. Source: Yonhap News Agency