President Yoon Suk Yeol on Oct. 9 arrives in the Laotian capital of Vientiane to attend the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit. (Office of the President)

By Lee Kyoung Mi

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Oct. 9 arrived in Laos, the final leg of his three-country Southeast Asian tour, to attend the ASEAN Summit and hold bilateral talks with six countries including Japan. 

In the capital of Vientiane, he will first attend his third straight ASEAN Summit as president to upgrade Korea-ASEAN relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

President Yoon will also attend the ASEAN Plus Three Summit with China and Japan as well as hold bilateral talks with Japan, Canada, Australia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.

In his first summit with Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the president will likely discuss improving relations ahead of the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties next year.

Earlier on Oct. 2, President Yoon held a phone conversation with the prime minister the day after the latter's inauguration, urging close communication to boost bilateral cooperation.

On Oct. 11, the president returns home after attending the East Asia Summit.

km137426@korea.kr