In May 2025 , the first ASEAN Summit of the year was held . At this summit, the long-anticipated ASEAN Community Vision 2045 (ACV 2045) was announced . This new community vision is a blueprint to guide the construction of the ASEAN Community for the next 20 years, succeeding the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 announced in 2015. Along with ACV 2045, strategic plan documents for each community —political and security , economic , and socio – cultural—as well as the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan (ACSP) were also released . With the addition of ASEAN Connectivity to the existing three major community pillars, the ASEAN Community now has a four- pillar system .

Changes in the content and structure of this vision and strategic plan will have a significant impact on future Korea – ASEAN cooperation . This vision and strategic plan serve as guidelines not only for cooperation within ASEAN but also for Korea – ASEAN cooperation . This vision has significant implications not only for the future implementation of the Korea – ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Plan of Action (Plan of Action) , but also for the Lee Jae-myung administration’s ASEAN policy . Considering the content and direction of this recently announced document, Korea should focus on cooperation related to connectivity, which has become the fourth pillar of future cooperation with ASEAN . This vision also clearly identifies challenges to ASEAN due to changes in the political and economic environment . How Korea and ASEAN cooperate to address these challenges will also be a key aspect of Korea – ASEAN cooperation .