South Korea Expands Role in East Asia
President Roh Moo-hyun returned home Friday after wrapping up a Southeast Asian tour in which he tried to strengthen South Korea’s economic ties with nations in the region and expand the nation’s role in building an East Asian community.
While seeking ways of improving the country’s relations with Malaysia and the Philippines, Roh tried to play a leading role in the ASEAN+3 Summit and the first East Asian Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur. ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“The tour has largely contributed to the promotion of the nation’s interests and status in the region by institutionalizing cooperative ties with ASEAN and actively participating in the formation of the East Asian community,’’ Roh’s spokesman Kim Man-soo said.
More: times.hankooki.com
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