ASEAN-REPUBLIC OF KOREA DIGITAL PARTNERSHIP:THE IMPERATIVES OF TRANS-REGIONAL COOPERATION IN CONTROLLING COVID-19

ABSTRACT

As the raging COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread and bring the world to its knees, governments around the world are still struggling to find effective solutions to prevent the further spread of the disease and its tremendous impact on human life. However, the Republic of South Korea (ROK) has successfully responded to this problem with its advanced technology. Conversely, ASEAN countries are still grappling to manage enormous COVID-19 impacts due to the lack of equal technological access. Hence, this study was aimed at exploring and outlining the possible adoptions of ASEAN-Korea Digital Partnership in addressing contemporary and post COVID-19 challenges. As an effort to meet the purpose of this study, the pragmatism of a qualitative methodology was deemed suitable to assess and compare the current conditions and challenges faced by ASEAN and the ROK. After being amalgamated in extensive and strategic relations for more than 30 years, ASEAN and ROK have accomplished outstanding achievements and a blossoming joint development, specifically in technological cooperation. Thus, the ASEAN-Korea Digital Partnership is more than feasible in its goal of supporting the technological advancements of ASEAN and open an ideal market for the ROK's technological production. Considering the economic, technological, and political challenges and incompatibilities, it can be reasonably assumed that the possible digital partnerships are 5G interconnectivity, surveillance system, e-commerce, and cybersecurity cooperation. It is hoped that the present study can serve as a new alternative perspective for a post COVID-19 ASEAN-Korea Digital Partnership trans-regional cooperation.