KOREA FOUNDATION

Special Column 

The Korea-Mekong relationship and its future 

Wondeuk Cho (Ph.D. in Political Science, Research Professor)
Center for ASEAN-India Studies, Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, Korea National Diplomatic Academy

2021 is the “Mekong-ROK Exchange Year” as well as the tenth anniversary of Korea-Mekong relations. Over the past few years, the scale of cooperation between Korea and the lower Mekong countries has expanded noticeably. Compared to China and Japan (which entered the region before), Korea is a latecomer and has a relatively small scale of involvement in the Mekong region. Nevertheless, Korea-Mekong cooperation is developing consistently and with increasingly more tangible outcomes, and the areas in which both parties can cooperate will only continue to increase. 

   The Mekong River, whose name means “mother of waters,” is massive at a length of 4,350 kilometers. The river starts in Tibet, with its upper basin passing through China’s Yunnan Province (where it is called Lancang Jiang (Upper Mekong River)) and then the inland areas of five Southeast Asian countries (Lao PDR, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Viet Nam) before flowing out into the South China Sea. The Mekong River basin, which is a livelihood source for approximately 65 million people, is being spotlighted as a strategic political and economic hub. The reason for this is the area’s advantageous position as linking India and China with the rest of Asia as well as the high average economic growth rate (over six percent) of the lower Mekong countries (except for Thailand), which makes them regarded as a growth engine for the future global economy. The most pressing issues for the lower Mekong countries are, however, domestic: reducing the development gap with the maritime Southeast Asian countries and eradicating poverty. Therefore, Korea-Mekong cooperation can potentially be an excellent example of achieving co-prosperity through the sustainable development of both parties. 

   Korea and the lower Mekong countries may be far apart geographically but have several major similarities. With the exception of Viet Nam, most citizens of these countries are Buddhist, which can lead to various types of historical and cultural exchanges with Korea, which also has a long history of Buddhism. Secondly, most lower Mekong countries have a recent history of civil war and are very interested in rebuilding their country and economic development—all of which were true of Korea several decades ago. Third, Korea and the lower Mekong countries can potentially become long-term partners because there is no historical or territory dispute or desire by either party to have hegemony over the other. 

   The Korea-Mekong relationship started to mature in 2011 through the 1st ROK-Mekong Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The “Mekong-Korea Comprehensive Partnership for Mutual Prosperity” that was adopted at that meeting has since served as the basis for various cooperative endeavors. Through the ROK-Mekong Plan of Action (which covers, among other issues, increased intra-ASEAN connectiveness, resource management for sustainable development, rural development, and human resource development), Korea continues to engage in substantive cooperative projects with all of the lower Mekong countries. The most recently adopted “Action Plan: 2021-2025” adds a plan for mid- to long-term Korea-Mekong cooperation (designation of 2021 as Mekong-ROK Exchange Year, exchanges in diverse sectors, rural development, joint endeavors in technological development in response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, joint response to environmental problems of Mekong region, increased cooperation in non-traditional security areas (including related to COVID-19)) to the implementation plan for the “Mekong-Han River Declaration for Establishing Partnership for People, Prosperity and Peace,” which was adopted at the 2019 Mekong-ROK Summit. At the 2nd Mekong-ROK Summit, which was held online in November 2020 because of COVID-19, both parties agreed to elevate the Korea-Mekong relationship to a “strategic partnership.”
 
   Korea underwent a version of economic development in the 20th century that is similar to that currently being experienced by the lower Mekong countries. Accordingly, Korea is currently providing overseas development assistance (ODA) in areas that are closely related to its economic development experience, such as technical training, rural development, and strengthening of public administration capabilities. In particular, of the five lower Mekong countries, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam are key partners and recipients of Korean ODA: support is tailored to the needs of each country, with a focus on economic development and capability-building in rural regions. In Cambodia, ODA is used primarily for traffic and water resource management and the development of public sanitation and health, education, and rural regions. In Lao PDR, ODA is used for projects on water resource management, public sanitation, energy, education and regional development. In Myanmar, aid is used for public administration, regional development, education, and rural development with a focus on Saemaul Undong. In addition, funding was given for the establishment of the Myanmar Development Institute, which is the country’s equivalent of the Korea Development Institute. Korea is also expanding its efforts in this region for more cooperation in multiple areas, most notably through the establishment of institutions and bodies for sustainable prosperity (Mekong-Korea Biodiversity Center, Mekong-ROK Water Resources Joint Research Center, Korea Mekong Forest Cooperation Center, “Korea-Mekong Future Peace Community” (which includes projects on the removal of mines and unexploded bombs in rural areas)) and cooperation on sustainable smart tourism on UNESCO cultural heritage sites in the Mekong region. 

   Today, the world’s major countries (Australia, China, Japan, the United States, etc.) are aggressively establishing development cooperation frameworks that will allow them to enter the Mekong region. The lower Mekong countries are concerned, however, that such attempts may degenerate into competition for influence. For its part, Korea hopes that its “miracle of the Han River” can be replicated in the Mekong region with even better outcomes and to play a supporting role that is effective without being overly invasive. There is little doubt that a “Mekong River miracle” will bring about peace and prosperity for both Korea and the lower Mekong countries. In other words, it is in Korea’s best interests to open up even more avenues for inter-regional cooperation with the lower Mekong countries that focus on post-COVID-19 economic recovery, capacity buildingand human resource development, and non-traditional security. 

   We may not be able to avoid the side effects of COVID-19 for the time being. This, however, does not change my optimism for the ASEAN Culture House to serve as bridge for Korea and the lower Mekong countries in the Mekong-ROK Exchange Year.

This content of this article may differ from the editorial direction of the ASEAN Culture House Monthly.