SEOUL -- Asia is gradually moving toward a security framework dramatically different from that in Europe, consisting of processes rather than institutions between and among nation-states -- many of which have outstanding political, ideological or territorial conflicts. And in Asia, unlike the case in Europe, the principle of nonintervention in sovereign affairs has been traditionally taken as a mantra -- particularly for China -- whether under the guise of humanitarian intervention or conflict prevention. (In this regard, it remains unclear whether Indonesian intervention in East Timor constitutes a one-time exception or the harbinger of a new process.)

The process that began in Southeast Asia three decades ago as an economic association between six Southeast Asia states -- Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines -- now has 10 members, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and a partially ostracized Myanmar.

But equally significant is the way ASEAN has grown externally as well as internally. ASEAN Plus Three incorporates the three major northeast Asian countries, China, Japan and South Korea, as ASEAN dialogue partners. These nations, unable to form a Northeast Asia regional security dialogue, have latched onto ASEAN as a next best choice.