President Rodrigo Roa Duterte embarks on a visit to Busan, South Korea to participate in the 2019 Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Republic of Korea (ASEAN-ROK) Commemorative Summit from November 24-26, 2019.
In a pre-departure briefing with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Junever Mahilum-West, the President is accompanied by his Cabinet members and leaders from the lead agencies for the three pillars of the ASEAN community namely, the DFA for Political and Security Community; the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for Economic Community; and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the Socio-Cultural Community.
The Chief Executive convenes with the other Heads of State/Government of the ASEAN Member States and President Moon Jae-In of ROK to discuss the current direction of the partnership between the regional bloc and South Korea, and cooperation on areas of mutual concern. The leaders previously met to talk on the regional and international issues affecting the region during their meeting at the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 2019. To date, this is the President’s second visit to the ROK since he assumed office, and his first visit to Busan as the country’s Head of State.
Meanwhile, President Duterte is set to meet with President Moon Jae-In in a bilateral meeting in which several agreements are scheduled to be signed.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the dialogue partnership between the ASEAN and ROK, this year’s meeting seeks to assess the development of ASEAN-ROK relations over three (3) decades with the theme, “Partnership for Peace, Prosperity for People.” The theme symbolizes the vision of the partnership that follows a people-centered community of peace and prosperity. Likewise, the meeting aims to present the shared vision of ASEAN and ROK for the next 30 years.
Since the establishment of ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Partnership in 1989, the organization shared a close cooperation and strategic partnership. As of 2018, ASEAN has become South Korea’s second largest trading partner, third largest investment destination, and largest source of overseas construction revenue for Korean businesses.
Moreover, South Korea announced its New Southern Policy in November 2017 that puts the ASEAN region on top of its diplomatic priority list and seeks to bolster cooperation with the region. It was followed by the launching of the Presidential Committee on New Southern Policy in August 2018 to act as the control tower for the government-wide cooperation.
The 2019 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit is the biggest international conference the ROK hosts under the leadership of President Moon Jae-in. Prior to the current hosting, the ROK has hosted two Commemorative Summits with the ASEAN regional organization in Jeju in 2009, and in Busan in 2014.
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Activities in Busan, South Korea