South Korea has special ties with APEC

South Korea has always had a special relationship with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. In fact, the concept of APEC was conceived in its capital, Seoul. Prime Minister Bob Hawke of Australia proposed the formation of APEC as an economic forum of Asia Pacific countries during a visit to Seoul in January 1989. At the end of their talks, Hawke and South Korean President Roh Tae-woo issued a statement welcoming the Australian proposal.

One of the prime purposes behind the proposition to form a Pacific community was to find a more effective means to manage and develop interdependent economic relations between and among the regional countries.

The growing tendency toward regionalism in the world, evidenced by the moves to form a single European market and a free trade area in North America, also pushed the Asia-Pacific in this direction. It was not easy, however, to develop a consensus in the region because the interest and levels of economic development of the member countries are as diverse as their geographical distances.

South Korea has played a pivotal role in the development of APEC, from helping to create the original 12-nation forum to its recent upgrading into a regional summit. Seoul's active participation in the APEC process stems from its perception of the forum as a major post-Cold War mechanism to connect East Asia and North America.

South Koreans also see diplomatic and practical incentives for participating in the forum. Politically, the forum can serve as a useful stepping stone for Korea to expand its international role in the region. Economically, it can secure Korea stable access to Asia-Pacific market, the biggest economic region in the world. South Korea's exports to APEC countries already amounted to US$56.62 billion in 1993, which was 68.9 percent of its total exports for the year.

South Korea has been active at every step of APEC's development throughout its five-year history. South Korea's contribution to the APEC process became more prominent after it took over the chairmanship of the forum during the second ministerial meeting in Singapore in July 1990. As the host of the third conference, Seoul was commissioned to carry out negotiations with China, Taiwan and Hong Kong on their membership in APEC.

South Korean officials carried out behind-the-scenes negotiations with the so-called "three Chinas" to find a solution to their simultaneous admission to the forum. At issue was what the three would be called at the coming APEC meetings and who would represent each country. This was a very sensitive issue in view of past conflicts among the three over their official titles at international gatherings. It took a full year to reach an agreement. Taiwan agreed to be called "Chinese Taipei" and to send its economic minister instead of its foreign minister.

Another important breakthrough in APEC history was made in 1993. U.S. President Bill Clinton proposed an APEC summit during a visit to Tokyo in July. In fact, credit for the idea of upgrading the forum to a summit belongs to Australia. Australia took the initiative as early as 1991, but the idea received a cold reception from most members at that time. It was President Kim Young-sam who again proposed an APEC summit at a Pacific Basin Economic Council meeting in Seoul in May 1993, echoing the Australian view. In June 1993, Kim and Australian PM Paul Keating pledged to work together to realize the summit. The first APEC Leaders Economic Meeting was held on Blake Island near Seattle in November 1993 with leaders from the 14 principle members attending.

They agreed to convene again in 1994 in Indonesia. (rlt)