SEOUL, The Asan Institute for Policy Studies, an independent South Korean think tank, said Tuesday that it will host its annual security forum next week to discuss issues, such as how Asia can maintain peace amid persistent threats from North Korea. The Asan Plenum 2024, scheduled to be held at a Seoul hotel on May 14, will bring together around 50 high-profile government officials and security and diplomatic experts from both home and abroad, according to the organizer. Among those delivering keynote speeches are U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who will address the audience virtually; Paul Wolfowitz, former U.S deputy secretary of defense; and South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun. Yoon Young-kwan, chairman of the think tank and a former South Korean foreign minister, said that this year's forum holds added significance ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, with much scrutiny on how Asia can sustain prosperity amid the rapidly evolving global security landscape . "This plenum will be particularly interesting given the election, with numerous uncertainties," Yoon told reporters. Moreover, Yoon underscored the diverse perspectives on Asia that will be explored during the sessions, with notably substantial participation from China and Japan. Source: Yonhap News Agency