A special summit between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for common prosperity officially opened in BEXCO, Busan on Nov. 25.
Under the slogan of "Go towards peace, prosperity for all," the summit will be carried out for two days until Nov. 26. In particular, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between Korea and ASEAN, which was made in 1989.
President Moon said in a keynote speech, "The history of exchanges that lasted for over hundreds of years is gradually pushing the East Asia toward the center of the global economy again. Asia is the future of the world," stressing the importance of economic cooperation between South Korea and ASEAN.
"The economies of ASEAN and Korea are rapidly approaching," Moon said. "Korea and ASEAN are eternal friends and a community of destiny.
"Korea will be a community growing together with ASEAN, beyond ASEAN friends. Under the thought that the development of ASEAN is that of Korea, Korea will always be with ASEAN."
President Moon also proposed the three principles: "people-centered, inclusive cooperation for a community that grows together," "cooperation for co-prosperity, cooperation for innovation and growth," and "cooperation to strengthen connectivity."
President Moon also called for support for efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, saying, "Peace on the Korean Peninsula is peace in East Asia. If we overcome the remaining difficulties, such as the third U.S.-North Korea summit, East Asia will become a real community."
After attending the CEO summit, President Moon also attended the "2019 Korea-ASEAN Forum on Cultural Innovation" to discuss cultural content exchanges between Korea and ASEAN.
President Moon said that ASEAN's cultural content is already loved globally, but there is no limit to its potential to grow bigger based on its engagement and dynamism, and called for stronger cooperation.
President Moon is also speeding up his bilateral diplomatic moves, holding a series of summits with all nine ASEAN leaders who visited South Korea.
Moon held a summit with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Cheong Wa Dae on Nov. 23 and had a summit with Brunei's King Hassanal Bolkiah the previous morning. Following this, he held a summit meeting with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha earlier in the day.
During the meeting, Moon stressed that Thailand is an eternal ally, and that the friendship forged by the blood of South Korea and Thailand will never be tarnished.
Moon also held a series of summits with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Nov. 25.
