Korea has hosted two Commemorative Summits with ASEAN in Jeju in 2009, and in Busan in 2014. This year’s event is the first international summit gathering that Korea is hosting under the Moon Jae-in administration.

ASEAN is the most visited overseas destination for Koreans and Korea’s second largest trading partner, as well as its second largest investment destination. With a population of 650 million, ASEAN is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5% going forward. Its significance as a key partner for Korea in all spheres is already firmly established and it will continue to grow.

Under the shared vision of creating a people-centered community, Korea and ASEAN will strive to form a mutually flourishing partnership built on the 3Ps set out in Korea’s New Southern Policy – people, peace and prosperity.

We will do our utmost to turn this Summit into an opportunity to elevate the level of Korea-ASEAN cooperation to new heights and accelerate the implementation of Korea’s New Southern Policy.

On the occasion of the 2019 Commemorative Summit, about 30 special events will be held across Korea. We hope many of you will join us, and hope these events will bring the people of ASEAN and Korea together in a meaningful way.

Our preparations are in full swing to ensure that the Summit and its attendant events can become a foundation for friendship and sustainable cooperation for years to come.

We look forward to welcoming you to Busan!

Korea hosted two special summits with ASEAN in Jeju and Busan in 2009 and 2014, respectively, and the third special summit will be held in Busan this year. This makes Korea the first nation to host all of the three special summits in its own country with ASEAN out of all the countries that have a dialogue relationship with the regional body, which is a testament to ASEAN’s trust in and support of Korea’s commitment to cooperation with the region. This year’s meeting will serve as an opportunity to evaluate the 30 years of the ASEAN-Korea relations and present a vision for the next 30 years.

The 1st Mekong-Republic of KOREA Summit will be the first summit-level meeting between Korea and the Mekong region, a result of continued cooperation which began in 2011 when a ministerial meeting took place between the two. The summit will serve as a foundation to further cooperation toward mutual growth with Mekong countries, which are some of the fastest growing regions of ASEAN.