Seoul

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung left Seoul on Sunday for Malaysia to attend this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. The trip aims to deepen ties with the regional bloc and enhance cooperation on online scams and other transnational crimes. First Lady Kim Hea Kyung accompanied him on the presidential plane from Seoul Air Base in Seongnam.

This marks Lee’s first visit to Southeast Asia since assuming office in June. On Monday, he will participate in the ASEAN summit to discuss strengthening South Korea’s comprehensive strategic partnership with the 10-member bloc. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee will also share his vision for AI cooperation, propose joint measures against online scams, and seek ASEAN support for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Lee will then join the ASEAN Plus Three summit with Japan and China, where he is expected to meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. On the sidelines, he will hold talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on bilateral ties and protecting South Koreans from scams, and meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss economic cooperation.

The trip comes ahead of a busy diplomatic week in South Korea, which will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. High-profile meetings with US President Donald Trump on October 29 and Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 1 are also planned, highlighting South Korea’s active role in regional and global diplomacy.