FM visits Busan to ensure successful Korea-ASEAN summit
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha visited Busan, Saturday, as part of government efforts to ensure a successful hosting of the special summit between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Nov. 25 to 27 Korea-ASEAN summit, to take place at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO), is the largest international conference organized during the Moon Jae-in administration. More than 10,000 participants, including official delegations and representatives from the business and other sectors, will visit Busan. In addition to a series of bilateral summits, there will be a wide range of events on the sidelines.
Seoul is placing special importance on the Korea-ASEAN special summit in light of President Moon Jaein’s strong push for his so-called New Southern Policy.
The Moon administration is seeking to strengthen exchanges with Southeast Asian nations to diversify South Korea’s diplomacy and bring relations with strategic Asian partners to a new level on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of establishing official links with ASEAN.
Seoul sees the summit as a crucial step for South Korea to achieve tangible outcomes from the New Southern Policy.
The government aims to increase the level of exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN countries to be on a par with the big four: the U.S., China, Japan and Russia.
To ensure a smooth hosting of the international event, Kang inspected the renovation of the venue, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sunday. While visiting the convention center, the foreign minister urged staff to make thorough preparations, so ASEAN leaders would feel hospitality from the South Korean government.
“Kang took a close look at hotel accommodation as well as event venues that the ASEAN leaders will visit,” an official from the ministry said.
She also had a luncheon meeting with Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, and discussed ways to promote the summit within and outside Korea.
Among the activities, a special train — carrying young people from Korea and ASEAN countries — will travel through Seoul, Busan and Gwangju to the DMZ.
During the summit, President Moon plans to underline the three core pillars, called the “3P” principle, propping up the policy — a community of people, prosperity and peace.
To make the special summit sustainable, South Korea is also developing a series of diplomatic programs, including more diversified ministerial-level communication channels among the ASEAN countries.
On Nov. 27, Busan will also host the Korea-Mekong summit with five ASEAN member states — Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.
Invitation to Kim Jong-un?
Also drawing global attention to the Korea-ASEAN summit is whether or not North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will attend. Last month, President Moon expressed his hopes to invite Kim to the event, in which the leaders of 10 ASEAN countries will take part.
“It will be a very meaningful opportunity for peace on the Korean Peninsula and East Asia if Kim can have a chance to join the event with ASEAN leaders,” Moon said in an interview with a Thai media outlet on Aug. 30.
Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Tae-ho said last week that Seoul was “leaving open the possibility to send an invitation to Kim, although no official decision has been made.”
Chances remain slim that the North Korean leader will visit, having recently revived inter-Korean tension with multiple missile launches. But the government does not completely rule out the possibility, because Pyongyang is on track to return to denuclearization talks with Washington.