1. On the occasion of the reception of the Culture Innovation Summit, held in Busan on November 24 as a special event of the 2019 ASEAN-Republic of KOREA Commemorative Summit, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha had a meeting with Secretary-General of ASEAN Lim Jock Hoi. The two sides discussed the 2019 ASEAN-Republic of KOREA Commemorative Summit, cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat in implementing the New Southern Policy, and regional issues.

2. Minister Kang noted with appreciation that, over the past year, preparations for the Commemorative Summit had successfully been made based on close consultations between the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the ASEAN Secretariat. She voiced hope that the 2019 ASEAN-Republic of KOREA Commemorative Summit and the 1^st Mekong-Republic of KOREA Summit, which will take place on November 25-27, as well as the various special events, will help further strengthen substantive cooperation between the ROK and ASEAN.

° In particular, the Minister stressed that the forthcoming Commemorative Summit is not merely a commemorative event for the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Partnership but an opportunity for the New Southern Policy, the aim of which is to boost cooperation with ASEAN, to take another leap forward. On that note, she asked for continued cooperation of the ASEAN Secretariat.

° The Minister also took note of the growing importance of the ASEAN Secretariat’s role in realizing an ASEAN community and conveyed the ROK government’s will to contribute actively in that regard.

3. Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi expressed appreciation to the ROK government for its thorough and meticulous preparations, and expected that the 2019 ASEAN-Republic of KOREA Commemorative Summit and the 1^st Mekong- Republic of KOREA Summit will be held successfully.

° In particular, the Secretary-General, speaking highly of the preparation efforts for the extensive and substantial deliverables and various special events, pledged that the Secretariat, on its part, will cooperate actively in moving the New Southern Policy continuously forward.