S. Korea gears up for special summit with ASEAN in November

SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will start preparations in earnest this week for a special summit with Southeast Asian nations slated for November, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.

The government plans to launch a preparatory task force and hold the first official meeting of a related decision-making committee in Seoul on Wednesday.

Chaired by Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, the panel will involve senior representatives from 21 government offices and other agencies, the ministry's spokesman, Noh Kyu-duk, said.

In the inaugural session, they will discuss basic plans and ways for interagency cooperation and review preparations for the summit, he said at a press briefing.

South Korea has invited the leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to the summit meant to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the two sides establishing their regular "Dialogue" forum.

The Moon Jae-in administration has also made a pitch for the "New Southern Policy" aimed at improving relations with ASEAN as well as India and Pakistan.

South Korea has yet to announce the date and host city of the special summit. Two major port cities -- Incheon and Busan -- are reportedly among the top candidates.

lcd@yna.co.kr
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