In 1964 the Republic of Korea proposed to the Southeast Asian Foreign Ministers Conferences to consider the establishment of a multipurpose regional organization. Unlike previous proposals that aimed at anti-Communist alliance, this new initiative called for economic and socio-cultural cooperation. As a result, the delegates from nine free nations – Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam – and an observer from Laos met in 1966 to inaugurate Asian and Pacific Council in Seoul. Although ASPAC was initially envisioned as a “forum” with emphasis on practical and flexible approach to the regional and global politics, the organization was never free from accusations of being a “crypto-alliance” which tried to mute or conceal the actual military and political conflicts and alignments among the members. Despite the lack of consensus amongst its member states, the organization survived for many years until its dissolution in 1973. This section traces the formation and development of ASPAC, paying a particular tribute to the diverse range of cultural activities it promoted. They offer insights into how the diplomatic alliances forged by the Republic of Korea existed in relation to ASEAN, and prompt questions about life cycles of regional affiliations, as well as their successes and failures.