Korea’s former ambassador to Indonesia Kim Young-sun will take the helm at the ASEAN-Korea Center on Friday, vowing support for the region’s political, economic and social integration.

The 60-year-old career diplomat succeeds Chung Hae-moon and will serve for three years as the agency’s third secretary-general.

Kim called 2015 a “momentous year” as the 10-member coalition gears up to introduce the ASEAN Economic Community for greater security, economic and sociocultural integration.

“With ASEAN having become a core cooperation partner, I will place emphasis on promoting work programs to raise awareness of ASEAN among the public and on propelling creative work programs that enable shared growth and coprosperity for the two regions,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

“The ASEAN-Korea Centre hopes to play a part in narrowing the development gap among the ASEAN member states and in expediting the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community while creating more opportunities for Korean companies to expand to the ASEAN market.”

The Seoul-based organization was set up in 2009 to help expand bilateral exchanges in trade, investment, tourism, culture and other areas. The appointment of its head requires Seoul’s recommendation and the approval by all 10 member states.

A graduate of Seoul National University, Kim has taken up various key posts since he began his diplomatic service in 1977. They include ambassador to Lebanon, spokesperson at the Foreign Ministry, special adviser to the minister, embassy minister in Tokyo and director for North American affairs.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)