The veteran diplomat took the helm of the intergovernmental organization on April 16, which aims to promote exchanges between Korea and the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
An official ceremony for his inauguration was held Monday at Lotte Hotel Seoul, attended by about 120 people, including diplomats, business leaders and journalists.
"The ASEAN ambassadors here in Seoul are well known for their active diplomatic engagement. The ASEAN investors and guests present today are pillars of this engagement. I hope we will continue to cooperate closely as friends and partners," the sixth secretary-general of the center said.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Viet Nam.
With a background in political science from Korea University, Kim joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1980. During the Lee Myung-bak administration (2008–2013), he served as deputy foreign minister and presidential secretary for foreign affairs.
Kim served as ambassador to Germany from 2012 to 2015 and as ambassador to the Philippines from 2015 to 2017.
The ASEAN-Korea Centre, established in 2009, plays a crucial role in promoting cooperation in trade, investment, culture, and tourism between Korea and ASEAN nations.
The inauguration event was also attended by Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of ASEAN.
"I have full confidence that the AKC (ASEAN-Korea Centre) will be able to contribute meaningfully to the further strengthening of ASEAN-ROK (Republic of Korea) relations."
Along with Kim, the Cambodian diplomat is set to attend the Jeju Forum, a conference designed to promote peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia. The three-day forum will be held on the southern island of Jeju starting Wednesday.
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