2February 2024 - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul is pleased to announce the publication and translation of the book entitled ASEAN Centrality: An Autoethnographic Account by a Philippine Diplomat written by H.E. Elizabeth Buensuceso, currently Eminent Person to the High-Level Task Force of the ASEAN Post-2025 Vision and Foreign Affairs Adviser of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, into the Korean language by the ASEAN-Korea Centre.

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega witnessed the turnover of the book between ASEAN Secretary General Kim Haeyoung and author Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso on 2 February 2024 in Manila, Philippines.

"With the Korean translation of the book, we hope more Korean readers can better understand the significant contributions of ASEAN to international relations and the importance of engaging ASEAN nations, including the Philippines, to attain shared goals of regional peace and stability in the years to come," the Ambassador said.

The translation project contributes to a better understanding of ASEAN Centrality and promotes the development of ASEAN-Republic of Korea relations by giving the general reader deeper insights into ASEAN as a regional organization and the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. The translated book also offers Korean readers an opportunity to fully appreciate how ASEAN as an organization has contributed to regional peace and stability over the decades.

The book provides the importance of engaging the region with ASEAN Centrality at its core and shares the necessary skills and wisdom on the principles, mechanisms, processes, and issues in ASEAN from the point of view of one of the Philippines' most reputable diplomats.

The Korean language edition is one of the projects of the ASEAN Korea Centre to commemorate the 35th year of the ASEAN-Korea Dialogue Partnership.

For Korean readers, the ASEAN Centrality: An Autoethnographic Account by a Philippine Diplomat is available for purchase both in digital and paperback formats in bookstores across the country. END