MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will discuss the Korean Peninsula conflict among other pressing security issues during the Asean-Republic of Korea (Asean-ROK) Commemorative Summit, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Junever Mahilum-West said Friday.
The conflict was based on the division of Korea between North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) and South Korea (Republic of Korea). Both claim to be the government of the entire country.
Korean President Moon Jae-in and Asean leaders will also tackle their 30 years of cooperation at Asean-ROK, which will be held on November 25 to 26 in Busan, South Korea, according to the Foreign Affairs official.
Two outcome documents are expected at the Summit, the Asean-ROK Joint vision statement for peace, prosperity, and partnership, and the co-chair statement on the Asean-ROK Commemorative Summit.
“These two represent the strong partnership between the Asean and ROK,” Mahilum-West said in a press briefing.
PH-SoKor deals
The official also confirmed that the Philippines and Korea are expected to sign during President Rodrigo Duterte and Moon’s bilateral talks some agreements on education, tourism, social security, and fisheries, as earlier announced by Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man.
Duterte also earlier said they would discuss the South China Sea dispute, adding that the Philippine government would buy two brand-new Corvettes or small warships from South Korea to boost the Philippine Navy’s patrol capabilities.
The Asean-member states are the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), and Laos.
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The President will be accompanied by several Cabinet members particularly the heads of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Mahilum-West said it is unlikely that the President will meet the Filipino community in his first visit to Busan, which is found in the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. The Chief Executive’s first visit to South Korea (Seoul) in June 2018 became controversial after he kissed a Filipina in front of other overseas Filipino workers.
Duterte last met with Asean leaders and Moon in Bangkok, Thailand earlier this month during the Asean Plus Three and East Asia Summits. His trip to South Korea will be his second foreign trip after suffering from a motorcycle mishap on October 17. On October 22, the President cut short his Japan trip for the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito due to “muscle spasms.”