S. Korean president to seek improved ties with ASEAN during three-nation trip

By Byun Duk-kunSEOUL,

Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean

President Lee Myung-bak will leave for Southeast Asia next week to visit Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand for bilateral and regional summits, Lee's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday.

Lee will depart Tuesday for Vietnam, where he will meet with the country's President Nguyen Minh Triet and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

"President Lee and President Triet will review the progress in their countries' bilateral relations since their diplomatic normalization (in 1992) and consult on ways to strengthen cooperation in economic, trade, social and cultural sectors," Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.

During his three-day visit to Hanoi, the South Korean president will also meet with Nong Duc Manh, secretary-general of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Lee will also seek ways to improve energy cooperation between the two countries, along with the increased participation of South Korean businesses in Vietnam's plant and infrastructure projects, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

Lee will arrive in Phnom Penh next Thursday for a bilateral summit with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on ways to further develop economic relations between the countries.

Bilateral trade between South Korea and Cambodia increased more than six-fold to over US$300 million in 2008 from $50 million in 1997, while investments rose from $30 million to nearly $2.5 billion during the same period, according to Seoul's presidential office.

"President Lee and Prime Minister Hun Sen are set to discuss ways to promote substantial cooperation between the countries in the agricultural sector and joint development of Cambodia's natural minerals," it said.

The leaders are expected to sign an extradition treaty and a revision to an agreement on the provision of Seoul's Economic Development Cooperation Fund during Lee's two-day trip. He will also meet with Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni.

Lee's trip will end in Thailand's Hua Hin where he will attend the annual regional summit of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). South Korea is a dialogue partner to ASEAN along with Japan and China.

"At the ASEAN Plus Three summit to be held Oct. 24, President Lee will discuss ways to increase the countries' cooperation in dealing with various regional and global issues, including the global financial crisis and food and energy security," Cheong Wa Dae said.

Lee will also attend the annual East Asia Summit that involves the ASEAN Plus Three and India, Australia and New Zealand, it said.