By Park Gil-ja and Lee Hana

Busan from Nov. 25-26 will host the Korea-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) special summit to mark the 30th anniversary of ties between both sides. 

"The summit will be the largest international conference hosted by Korea since the launch of the incumbent administration. The leaders will review (Korea’s) New Southern Policy and seek ways to implement it in our greater region," said Yoon Do-han, senior presidential secretary for public relations.

The heads of state from the 10 ASEAN member countries as well as ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi are expected to attend. 

This is the third time for Korea to host the special summit, following the first on Jeju Island in 2009 and second in Busan in 2014.

On the proposed invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the summit, Yoon said the Cabinet raised this prospect to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula, adding, "Discussions are needed with ASEAN member states on this issue. If they agree, we will negotiate with Pyeongyang." 

The secretary was referring to the proposal made during last year’s Korea-ASEAN special summit in Singapore by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who suggested inviting Kim. President Moon Jae-in responded favorably to the idea.

In addition, Busan on Nov. 27 will host the Korea-Mekong summit, which will have five ASEAN member countries -- Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia – through which the Mekong River runs. 

"We look forward to strengthening our ties with the Mekong nations at this year's summit," said Yoon.
 

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