S. Korean President To Unveil New Partnership Initiative, Peace Vision At ASEAN Summit

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who has arrived in Kuala Lumpur, is set to unveil Seoul’s new initiatives to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and seek support for peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula, Yonhap new agency reported.

In his first participation in the annual gathering since taking office in June, Lee will outline South Korea’s new initiative to bolster the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) forged with ASEAN last year and propose hosting a special Korea-ASEAN summit in 2029 to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The “CSP Vision,” based on ASEAN’s highest-level partnership framework, aims to position South Korea as a “contributor” to youth development in Southeast Asia, a “springboard” for growth and innovation, and a “partner for peace and stability,” National Security Adviser Wi Sung Iac said Sunday.

Lee is also expected to share his “END” initiative -- which stands for “exchange,” “normalisation,” and “denuclearisation” -- to ease tensions and improve inter-Korean relations, as part of diplomatic efforts to draw support from ASEAN members.

He will also attend the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, alongside Japan and China, to discuss ways to strengthen broader regional cooperation.

On the sidelines, Lee will hold talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss their strategic partnership and pending issues, including cross-border online scam crimes.

Later in the day, he is scheduled to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to explore ways to further enhance bilateral ties before returning home.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP