1. A briefing session on the outcomes and the major achievements of the 2019 ASEAN-Republic of KOREA Commemorative Summit and the 1^st Mekong-Republic of KOREA Summit, which were successfully held in Busan on November 25-27, took place for members of the diplomatic corps in the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 15:00-16:00, December 10.

° The briefing session was co-chaired by H.E. Yoon Soon-gu, former Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Suh Jeong-in, Executive Director of the Preparatory Office for the 2019 ASEAN-Republic of KOREA Commemorative Summit, and brought together some 100 diplomats of about 70 embassies in the ROK, including about 20 Ambassadors.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the Summit, held in commemoration of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-ROK dialogue relations, had served as a significant opportunity to expand the ASEAN-ROK cooperation and set a direction for future sectoral cooperation in implementing the New Southern Policy.

° The Ministry explained the major achievements in areas of the New Southern Policy, -- people, prosperity and peace, among others -- adding that the Summit had served as an opportunity to expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the ROK and ASEAN, to build momentum for achieving shared prosperity through increased economic and development cooperation, and to foster a peaceful and safe environment in the region.

3. In addition, the Ministry explained that the number of the Summit participants had been tallied at about 26,000, a five-fold increase compared to that of the year 2014, and that 50 special events had taken place, a two-fold increase from 2014. Also mentioned were the personalized gifts offered to leaders as well as the venue setups prepared as part of meticulous protocol.

° With regard to the special events, the Ministry mentioned that various “public-participatory” events had been held on the themes of taste, beauty, fun and future, for people of the ROK as well as the ASEAN countries to join: Among them were the 2019 ASEAN-ROK Food Street, an ASEAN-ROK K-Beauty Festival, an ASEAN-Korea Train, an ASEAN Fantasia, the 2019 ASEAN-ROK Startup Summit, an ASEAN-ROK Culture Innovation Summit and an ASEAN-ROK CEO Summit.

° The Ministry also spoke about its “meticulous protocol” efforts by introducing the gifts of virtual reality devices showcasing key attractions of the ASEAN member countries; the reception hall for the welcome dinner decorated as a “leaders’ library” exhibiting books recommended by each ASEAN leader; the menu of the welcome dinner with various options in consideration of tastes of leaders, such as vegetables, meats and seafoods; and the guidebook containing explanations in the languages of the ASEAN countries on the cultural performances, menu and presents.

4. The briefing session was attended by members of the diplomatic corps in the ROK, including Ambassadors of not only the ASEAN countries but also various others, which demonstrated strong interest of foreign countries in the ASEAN-Republic of KOREA Commemorative Summit and the ROK’s New Southern Policy.

° The foreign diplomats noted that the Summit had been a successful event, of which the meticulous preparations and the achievements had demonstrated the significance the ROK attaches to its New Southern Policy. They voiced hope that the ASEAN-ROK cooperation would be expanded and strengthened to other regions as well.

5. The ROK government will continue to follow up on the major achievements of the Summit, while making sustained efforts for these achievements to serve as a basis for taking the New Southern Policy and cooperation with ASEAN to the next level.