Yoon to Attend ASEAN and G20 Summits from 11th to 16th... "Will Do Our Best to Achieve Results" (Comprehensive)

Announcement of 'Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative' at ASEAN
Attending ASEAN+3 Summit and EAS
Yoon to move to Bali on 14th for G20 Summit and B20 Summit
Korea-Japan Summit "Not Yet Decided"
Summits with Netherlands and Spain during visit on 17-18th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol will visit Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Bali, Indonesia, from the 11th to the 16th for 4 nights and 6 days to attend the ASEAN and G20 summits. Although the Itaewon tragedy recovery has not been completed, it was decided that diplomacy with major world leaders is important amid numerous international issues.

Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office, and Choi Sang-mok, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs, announced President Yoon's itinerary at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 9th.

According to the schedule, President Yoon will arrive in Phnom Penh on the afternoon of the 11th and attend the Korea-ASEAN Summit, where he will present the Indo-Pacific strategy related to freedom, peace, and prosperity, Korea's new Asia policy, and the Korea-ASEAN solidarity plan. He will then hold a meeting with the Korean diaspora in Cambodia to discuss support measures for the community. On the second day of the trip, the 12th, he will attend the ASEAN and Korea-China-Japan summits. Director Kim said, "At the summit, we plan to explain our vision for practical cooperation between ASEAN+ Korea, China, and Japan." On the last day of the Cambodia visit, the 13th, he will attend the East Asia Summit (EAS), which discusses major regional and extra-regional security issues.

Afterwards, President Yoon will move to Bali and hold a meeting with Korean businesspeople operating in Indonesia on the 14th, followed by delivering a keynote speech at the B20 Summit, which includes economic organizations from G20 member countries and global corporate leaders, on the theme of 'The Role of Businesses in Overcoming Global Complex Crises.' He will also attend a business roundtable jointly hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to continue economic diplomacy. At this event, President Yoon will present a vision for economic cooperation and sign several memorandums of understanding (MOUs). He is also scheduled to meet with global CEOs attending the B20.

On the first day of the G20 summit, the 15th, President Yoon will make his G20 debut by delivering a presentation in the sessions on food, energy security, and health. He will then attend the leaders' luncheon and welcome dinner hosted by Indonesia, the chair country of this G20 summit. Senior Secretary Choi said, "This year, there are some disagreements among member countries regarding Russia's responsibility for the global crisis," and evaluated this G20 summit as a turning point for responding to global crises.

Although the G20 summit is held from the 15th to the 16th, President Yoon will return to Korea on the night of the 15th due to the visit of foreign dignitaries and arrive in Korea early on the 16th. Director Kim explained, "The leaders of the Netherlands and Spain are scheduled to visit Korea on the 17th and 18th, respectively, for summit talks," adding, "They will focus on cooperation in future industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, and renewable energy."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The keywords for economic diplomacy activities during this trip are summarized as ▲ sales diplomacy ▲ strengthening supply chains in advanced industries ▲ building digital partnerships. Senior Secretary Choi explained, "ASEAN is one of the world's top five economic zones and Korea's second-largest trading partner and second-largest overseas investment destination, making it a closely connected region," adding, "ASEAN countries have complementary industrial structures with Korea and are promoting industrial upgrading from simple processing and manufacturing to high value-added and digital transformation, so there is a very high potential for continuous cooperation expansion with us."

Regarding whether a Korea-Japan summit will be held, a senior official from the Presidential Office said, "It has not been decided yet," and about the Korea-China summit, "President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the G20 meeting, so we think there will be a natural opportunity to meet President Yoon at the meeting." On a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, the official said, "It is under consultation."

If North Korea conducts a nuclear test during the trip, the response will be handled on-site. The official said, "Since it is known that the U.S., Japan, and even the Chinese leader will participate, it is highly likely that the response will be handled locally," and added, "The National Security Council (NSC) here plans to respond using video connections or other communication means."

President Yoon and his Presidential Office aides have reconsidered the entire schedule, including canceling the trip, to mourn and manage the Itaewon tragedy. However, considering the repeated provocations by North Korea, protectionism, and the reorganization of the international order, which are challenging domestic and international situations, President Yoon decided to proceed with the trip. Director Kim Sung-han said, "This trip takes place amid domestic issues such as North Korea's provocations and the Itaewon tragedy recovery," and added, "President Yoon plans to attend only key events and return early, and will do his best to achieve practical results through summit diplomacy."

Meanwhile, regarding whether Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia will meet President Yoon on the 17th of this month, a Presidential Office official said, "It is difficult to arrange summit meetings with many Middle Eastern countries, and we do not know until the day before," adding, "At this point, we cannot confirm whether the Crown Prince will meet."

[Image source=Yonhap News]