ASEAN and Korea make significant strides in the field of Sports

Cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of Korea has made significant strides in the field of sports, contributing to promoting common development and strengthening friendship between the two sides. This relationship goes beyond sports events and extends to training programs, professional exchanges, and infrastructure investment.

The outstanding results from the cooperation between ASEAN and Korea sports are expected to continue to develop more strongly in the future. In particular, this cooperation has had direct positive impacts on Vietnamese Sports. Thereby, contributing to creating an important driving force for the development of regional Sports and strengthening the ASEAN-Korea strategic partnership in the coming time.

ASEAN – Korea Cooperation

ASEAN-ROK cooperation in the field of sports is an important part of the socio-cultural partnership, focusing on enhancing people-to-people exchanges and developing sports expertise. These cooperation activities are guided by official documents such as the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action and implemented through various specific initiatives.

In the field of sports: Korea, with its strong sports development, especially in sports such as: Football, Taekwondo and Archery, has supported ASEAN countries by sending coaches and experts to work. In return, many sports teams of ASEAN countries have come to Korea to train, compete in friendly matches and participate in intensive training courses.

In addition, Korea also proactively shares its experience and technology in sports management, sports science and sports medicine. This helps ASEAN countries improve the effectiveness of training, prevent injuries and improve achievements in regional and international tournaments.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea promote diplomatic cooperation in the fields managed by the Ministry, especially in the field of physical training and sports.

In fact, Korea is one of the powerhouses in e-sports, and in recent times, ASEAN countries have been learning from Korea's experience to professionalize this field. Activities include talent exchanges, organizing training programs, and coordinating friendly events. Korean e-sports associations (such as KeSPA) have signed memorandums of understanding with associations of ASEAN countries (including Vietnam) to promote the development of Esports in the region.

The organization of sports events and exchanges has also produced positive results. Specifically, Korea and ASEAN have jointly organized tournaments, concentrated training courses and sports exchange programs to enhance understanding and strengthen friendship between countries in the Southeast Asian region and Korea. These events not only create opportunities for athletes to compete but also provide opportunities for people from both sides to enhance cultural exchanges, contributing to the sustainable development of the ASEAN community.

Impact of ASEAN – Korea cooperation on Vietnamese sports

The close cooperation between ASEAN and Korea has created positive and far-reaching impacts, contributing significantly to the comprehensive development of Vietnamese sports. From improving professional qualifications, developing facilities to expanding international exchanges, this relationship is a strong driving force for Vietnamese sports on the path to reaching the world level.

One of the prominent cooperation programs is the ASEAN-Korea Football Interpersonal Exchange and Leadership Development (FIELD). This is an initiative funded by the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), with a budget of approximately US$3.8 million for the period 2022–2025. The program is jointly implemented by the Korea Football Association (KFA) and universities and sports training organizations in Seoul.

FIELD aims to enhance the professional capacity and leadership skills of coaches, experts and young players from ASEAN countries. The courses focus on many areas: from tactics, physical training, sports medicine, to data analysis in Football. In addition, the program also creates opportunities for ASEAN teams to travel to Korea for training, friendly matches and experience the professional Football environment.

Korea supports Vietnamese Sports in the field of sports medicine technology transfer and IT in training and organizing high-level competitions.

Vietnam is one of the ASEAN countries that directly benefits from these cooperation initiatives. In 2024, the national men's football team had a long training trip in Korea, as part of a series of cooperation and exchange activities between VFF and KFA. As a result of this training trip, the national men's football team experienced modern training methods and played friendly matches with many K-League clubs. In addition, experts and players of the national football team highly appreciated the training trip because it helped players improve their physical strength, better understand tactical requirements, and at the same time bring a professional atmosphere before an important tournament.

In terms of foreign affairs, these activities also help connect VFF with KFA and strengthen the position of Vietnamese football in the region. In addition, Vietnam's participation in official ASEAN forums on sports (such as SOMS - ASEAN Senior Officials on Sports) also affirms Vietnam's proactive role in regional cooperation.

In addition, cooperation between ASEAN and Korea, especially in the field of sports, has brought many significant positive impacts to Vietnamese sports. This cooperation is demonstrated through exchange programs, training, and technical assistance, contributing to improving professional qualifications, developing infrastructure, and expanding the vision for Vietnamese sports.

Coach Park Hang-seo (left) and Kim Sang-sik (right) have contributed greatly to the cooperation between Vietnam and Korea, especially in the field of Football.

Specifically, regarding the work of improving the professional qualifications of athletes and coaches: In recent times, Korea has sent many experts to Vietnam to share experiences and transfer technology in training and organizing high-level competitions, as well as consulting on development strategies in the Kimchi country's strong sports such as: Football, Shooting, Archery, Taekwodo...

A typical example is Coach Park Hang Seo, who created a golden era for Vietnamese Football with resounding achievements. His appearance not only brought success on the field but also changed the mindset and way of doing Football in Vietnam. Or now his successor, Coach Kim Sang-sik, has also been creating important marks and milestones for Vietnamese Football.

In particular, the technical and financial support from Korea has brought positive changes to Vietnamese sports in recent times, notably investment in modern equipment, development of sports medicine systems and application of performance analysis technology. These contributions not only help improve the professional level of athletes but also create a solid foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnamese sports in the future. This cooperation is a clear demonstration of the good and effective relationship between the two countries in the field of sports.

Typically, through cooperation programs, especially in Korea's strong sports such as Taekwondo, Archery, and Athletics, many training centers in Vietnam have received support in specialized training equipment (standard competition mats, personal performance measurement and tracking devices, etc.).

Korean sports medicine experts have come to Vietnam to organize training courses and seminars on diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries, sports nutrition and physical therapy. Many Vietnamese doctors and sports medicine technicians have the opportunity to study in Korea and access the most advanced techniques.

In addition, Vietnam has accessed advanced software and performance analysis systems (collecting data on movement, fitness, tactics, and psychology) of athletes from Korea.

In parallel with providing technology, Korean experts also directly guide and train Vietnamese experts and trainers on how to operate and effectively exploit these analytical systems, ensuring the sustainability of cooperation projects.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/asean-va-han-quoc-dat-duoc-nhieu-buoc-tien-dang-ke-trong-linh-vuc-the-thao-20250916150128731.htm