The ASEAN-Korea Center is organizing a special lecture series with former ambassadors to East Asian countries on the topic of “Rising ASEAN and Korea” in cooperation with the chambers of commerce and industry in Busan, Daejeon and Gwangju.

The first of the lecture series’ three sessions saw former Korean Ambassador to China Shin Jung-seung speak at the Daejeon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Shin is currently the research director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.

The next lecture will be delivered by former Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Sun-jin at the Busan Chamber of Commerce on May 29. Yang Bong-ryull, former Korean ambassador to Malaysia, will give the final lecture at the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The three ambassadors will speak on the rise of ASEAN and its implications for Korea, touching upon key topics such as the expected launch of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015; the growth potential of the Southeast Asian economic bloc; the status of Korean enterprises in ASEAN; and strategies for companies that wish to make inroads into Southeast Asia.

The lectures are free of charge and open to the public. Those who wish to attend can apply online at the center’s website or through the respective chambers of commerce and industry.