Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Soosuk Lim

May 23, 2024  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

On May 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul will hold a luncheon meeting with Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn, who is on a visit to Korea to attend the 19th Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity.

In the meeting, Foreign Minister Cho will discuss the establishment of the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest level in relations with ASEAN, this year, the implementation of the Korean government’s Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI), and preparations for the ASEAN-related ministerial meetings in July and the ASEAN-ROK summit in October.

The Secretary-General’s visit to Korea is expected to further deepen Korea’s cooperation with ASEAN, a key partner for Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

On the same day, Foreign Minister Cho will attend the plaque unveiling ceremony of the Preparatory Office for APEC 2025.

Korea will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting again as the chair of APEC next year, 20 years after successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Busan in 2005.

The Korean government will make thorough preparations for a successful event by closely communicating with relevant organizations of the host city to be selected, as well as the APEC Secretariat and member economies, with the Preparatory Office for APEC 2025 playing a central role in the process.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)