Duterte to discuss how to address new world challenges in ASEAN-ROK meet

BUSAN, South Korea – President Duterte is set to discuss with his fellow Asian leaders ways to address new world challenges during the 2019 Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea (ASEANROK), Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo stated this as President Duterte reunites with

his fellow ASEAN leaders and South Korean President Moon Jae-in to talk about the partnership between the regional bloc and South Korea.

He also said the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of the dialogue partnership between ASEAN and South Korea, will serve as a venue for the President to discuss with other regional Heads of State ways to address new world challenges, such as protectionism, non-conventional security threats, transnational crimes and cybercrime, among others.

The theme of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit is “Partnership for Peace, Prosperity for People.”

Duterte arrived at the Gimhae Air Base at 1:28 a.m. (Korean Standard Time) Monday and went straight to the hotel to rest.

The President was greeted by South Korean Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Tae-ho, Deputy Director-General of Public Diplomacy/ Task Force Philippines Team Leader Kyun Jong-ho and Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man.

Also present in welcoming the

President were Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Noe Wong and Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje.

Earlier, both Wong and Han said the ASEAN leaders and Moon will be talking about, among others, the issue on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Joining the President’s delegation are Panelo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, and Social Security System President and CEO Aurora Ignacio.

Improving ties

Meanwhile, Panelo said Duterte’s second visit to Korea as president will serve to strengthen the 70 years of warm relations between the two countries.

“On top of being a major trading partner with the Republic of Korea, the President aims to explore further avenues of partnership and cooperation in matters of mutual concern and benefit,” he said.

Aside from attending the ASEAN-ROK Summit, Duterte is also set to have a bilateral meeting with Moon Monday afternoon. In an interview here Sunday, Han said Duterte’s visit will build a momentum to elevate the relations between the two countries.

Wong had earlier said the Philippines was eyeing to ink at least three agreements with South Korea during Duterte’s visit. Among the topics to be discussed, he said, are on education, free trade agreement, or even discussions on fields of fisheries, among others.

Meanwhile, Han said the two leaders will be talking about pending issues from political, peopleto-people, and even enhancing cooperation on military and logistics.

“With our chemistry, we will increase our cooperation in many different sectors,” he said.

“Korea, as a very close ally and as a very close friend of the Philippines, will remain as a true friend to work together,” he added.