(LEAD) Yoon to embark on three-nation Southeast Asian trip next week

President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit the Philippines, Singapore and Laos next week to attend the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and hold bilateral talks, his office said Thursday. Yoon plans to embark on the six-day trip on Sunday, which will include bilateral summits in the Philippines and Singapore as well as participation in the ASEAN-related meetings in Laos, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said in a briefing. (LEAD) Yoon to embark on three-nation Southeast Asian trip next week - 1 During his state visit to the Philippines from Sunday to Monday, Yoon will meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss ways to elevate bilateral ties as this year marks the 75th anniversary of forging diplomatic ties. The talks will focus on expanding economic cooperation in areas of supply chains, energy, defense and oceans industry, Kim said. Yoon will hold talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday and deliver an address on Seoul's unification vision during a forum before heading to Laos on Wednesday. "South Korea and Singapore will discuss ways to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital technology as well as energy, bio and supply chain of strategic goods," Kim said. Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo announces President Yoon Suk Yeol's three-nation Southeast Asian trip during a press briefing held at the presidential office in Seoul on Oct. 3, 2024. (Yonhap) Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo announces President Yoon Suk Yeol's three-nation Southeast Asian trip during a press briefing held at the presidential office in Seoul on Oct. 3, 2024. (Yonhap) On Thursday, Yoon will attend the ASEAN summit and ASEAN plus three summit involving South Korea, China and Japan. He will also hold eight bilateral summits, including those with Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. During this year's summit, South Korea will elevate its relations with ASEAN to a comprehensive strategic partnership to deepen cooperation with the 10-nation regional bloc. ASEAN currently holds comprehensive strategic partnerships with five countries: the United States, China, India, Japan and Australia. The ASEAN Plus Three gathering will also provide a platform for the first summit between South Korea, China and Japan since their leaders met in Seoul in May, the first trilateral meeting in 4 1/2 years. Park Chun-seop, senior secretary for economic affairs, explains President Yoon Suk Yeol's three-nation Southeast Asian trip during a press briefing held at the presidential office in Seoul on Oct. 3, 2024. (Yonhap) Park Chun-seop, senior secretary for economic affairs, explains President Yoon Suk Yeol's three-nation Southeast Asian trip during a press briefing held at the presidential office in Seoul on Oct. 3, 2024. (Yonhap) Consultations have been under way to arrange Yoon's first summit with Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Laos on the sidelines of the ASEAN summits, a presidential official said. On Frida y, he will participate in the East Asian Summit, a regional forum that involves 18 countries, including 10 ASEAN countries, South Korea the U.S., Russia, China, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. He will return home on the same day. Source: Yonhap News Agency