South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will use visits to Manila and Shenzhen next week to press regional leaders to back Seoul’s effort to resume talks with North Korea, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said.
In Manila, Lee is scheduled for the South Korea-ASEAN and Mekong-Korea summits on Nov. 16. The Mekong meeting will involve five countries, including Vietnam and Myanmar, Wi said. Lee will attend the ASEAN Plus Three Summit the following day.
The APEC summit in Shenzhen is the focus of Lee’s China stop. He plans to highlight peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and seek regional support for Seoul’s effort to restart dialogue with North Korea, Wi said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and China’s first lady are scheduled to host Lee for a dinner during the visit. He is expected to use the trip to build closer ties with ASEAN members and put South Korea’s comprehensive strategic partnership with the bloc into practice. Lee’s visit begins in Manila on Nov. 16.
