Hilton Busan Hotel, Busan, South Korea
November 25, 2019

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, accompanied by Madame Cielito ‘Honeylet’ Avanceña, joined fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders in the ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Welcoming Dinner hosted by President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook at the Hilton Busan Hotel in Busan, South Korea.

In his opening remarks, South Korean President Moon said that in the past 30 years, ASEAN and Korea have emerged as ‘optimal partners’ based on friendship and trust.

“ASEAN’s dream is Korea’s dream. This ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit will demonstrate that we share the same dream of becoming a single community,” he said.

The South Korean President stressed that even though the identities of ASEAN and ROK are diverse, they spring from the same root, and that the community can work together while respecting diversity.

According to Presidential Office Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) of South Korea, the leaders were served with a four-course meal, with each course signifying peace, accompaniment, prosperity and harmony.

The leaders were also treated to performances by a traditional Korean dance group, K-pop artist, among others, during the welcoming dinner.

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