BUSAN, South Korea—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte arrived here Monday morning to join fellow leaders in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the South Korean president in the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit aimed at reviewing strategic partnership and charting future cooperation of ASEAN and South Korea.
The President landed about 2 a.m. (1 a.m. Philippine time) at the Gimhae Air Base in Busan and was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Noe Wong, Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Eric Borje, Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-Man, and other Korean officials.
The 2019 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit will be held from November 25 to 26. South Korea and ASEAN celebrate 30 years of dialogue relations in pursuit of a people-centered community of peace and shared prosperity.
The leaders will specifically explore ways to enhance relations, trade and investment, innovation and smart city development, sustainable development, as well as countering transboundary challenges.
Biodiversity and people-to-people exchanges through cultural and academic exchanges and human resource development will also be discussed.
Regional security issues are high on the agenda and the leaders are expected to reaffirm their commitment to strengthen cooperation in maritime security and domain awareness, marine conservation, environmental protection, food and energy security, disaster management, and cybersecurity.
The 2019 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit has for its theme, “Partnership for Peace, Prosperity for People.”
While in South Korea, President Duterte will meet President Moon Jae-in for the third time in a bilateral meeting to strengthen relation as the two countries mark this year the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
This is the President’s second visit to South Korea and his first time in Busan. The visit is upon the invitation of President Moon. PND
