Secretary General Kim Jae-shin of the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) visited Dili, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, from 12 to 15 March 2026, following the country’s accession as the 11th Member State of ASEAN in October last year. During the visit, Secretary General Kim discussed Timor-Leste’s procedures for joining the AKC, as well as ways to further strengthen ASEAN-Korea cooperation.
He paid a courtesy call on H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the Prime Minister, and held meetings with high-level officials of Timor-Leste, including H.E. Jesuina Ferreira Gomes, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Milena Rangel, the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, and H.E. Jorge Soares Cristóvão, Secretary of
State for Art and Culture.
Secretary General Kim noted that the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN is a historically significant development that will serve as an important momentum for the future development of ASEAN and for the further strengthening of ASEAN-Korea relations. He also expressed his expectation for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste’s future role and contribution within ASEAN.
Secretary General Kim explained that the AKC carries out more than 30 programmes annually in such areas as trade and investment, culture and tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, with a view to advancing ASEAN-Korea relations. In addition, the AKC organized a separate briefing session for around 60 Timorese officials related to ASEAN affairs, during which it introduced the AKC’s structure and activities as well as its major programmes for 2026.
Timor-Leste officials expressed high expectations for the AKC’s role in promoting ASEAN-Korea relations. They conveyed their hope for the AKC’s support in areas such as promoting trade and investment through support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as capacity-building initiatives through training programmes for government officials and scholarship opportunities.
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is a young island nation that formally gained independence from Indonesia in May 2002, with a population of approximately 1.44 million and a land area of 14,954 square kilometers. Its economy is largely based on petroleum and natural gas resources, and with a per capita GDP of around USD 5,000, the country is regarded as having strong growth potential following its accession to ASEAN.
The Republic of Korea (ROK) and Timor-Leste established diplomatic relations in May 2002. From 1999 to 2003, the ROK also contributed to peace and stability in Timor-Leste by dispatching approximately 3,000 personnel as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission, known as the Sangnoksu Unit, or the “Blue Angels,” over four years.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
