Busan (FN), Nov. 26 – The leaders of South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed during their special summit on Tuesday to upgrade their bilateral strategic partnerships on regional and global issues for a joint response to the opportunities and challenges ahead.

President Moon Jae-in and the leaders of 10 Southeast Asian countries adopted a "joint vision statement for peace, prosperity and partnership" following the first session of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan, 450 kilometres southeast of Seoul. Session I took the theme of "Republic of Korea-ASEAN 30 & 30." The Republic of Korea is South Korea's official name.

As co-chairs of this week's summit, Moon and Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued a separate joint statement summarizing the results of discussions.

In the document, Moon reaffirmed his firm commitment to three principles in the course of resolving Korean Peninsula issues: zero tolerance for war, a mutual security guarantee and co-prosperity. He outlined his vision once again to transform the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which divides the peninsula, into an international peace zone.

In November 2017, Moon launched his government's New Southern Policy, aimed at lifting Seoul's strategic relations, mainly with ASEAN, to a new level.

He has already traveled to all 10 ASEAN member states in a show of his commitment to the regional initiative.

He is to host an official welcoming dinner for the inaugural Mekong-Republic of Korea Summit to be held on Wednesday. It will involve the leaders of the "Mekong five" nations -- Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

In full: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20191125009453315?section=national/diplomacy
=FRESH NEWS