President Moon Jae-in has told Asian leaders in Singapore that he's open to inviting the North Korean leader to a special Korea-ASEAN Summit in Seoul in 2019.
He also stressed the importance of ongoing cooperation between Seoul and Southeast Asian nations.
Kan Hyeong-woo reports.
President Moon Jae-in says he will actively review the possibility of inviting
North Korea's Kim Jong-un to a special Korea-ASEAN Summit to be held next year in South Korea.
The idea of inviting Kim was proposed by another Asian leader.
"Indonesian President Joko Widodo proposed Kim Jong-un be invited to the special Korea-ASEAN Summit in 2019, saying the summit would be all the more significant with the leaders of both Koreas in attendance."
And that, President Moon said, was a (quote) "noteworthy suggestion."
He said Seoul will closely consult with ASEAN nations in advance... of what would be the third ASEAN summit to be held in South Korea.
During Wednesday's summit in Singapore,... President Moon pitched his plans to boost cooperation,... seen as the basis of his "New Southern Policy," which includes a special Korea-ASEAN Summit next year in Seoul and setting up a Korea-Mekong Summit.
President Moon's policy calls for stronger economic ties between South Korea and the ten ASEAN nations -- a policy that has already produced tangible results in terms of trade volume and people-to-people exchanges.
"South Korea-ASEAN relations will move to the next level. With the united force of ASEAN, I look forward to peace and prosperity in Asia in the near future."
President Moon also shared the progress made on the Korean Peninsula,... and expressed appreciation to ASEAN leaders for their support in backing Seoul's efforts to establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News.
