South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit the Philippines and China from 16 to 19 November to attend the South Korea-ASEAN summit in Manila and the APEC summit in Shenzhen, Seoul announced on Thursday.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac set out the itinerary at a briefing in Seoul, saying the four-day trip would cover security, trade and regional cooperation, including critical minerals, online scams and energy supplies.

Manila: ASEAN and Mekong summits

In Manila, Lee will attend the South Korea-ASEAN summit on 16 November, alongside a Mekong-Korea summit with the leaders of five Mekong countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. He will also take part in the ASEAN Plus Three summit and the East Asia Summit on 17 November.

The Manila meetings will review implementation of the South Korea-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as the Philippines chairs ASEAN against a backdrop of US-China rivalry and the war in the Middle East.

Shenzhen: APEC leaders gather

Lee will then travel to Shenzhen for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, attending the APEC CEO Summit on 18 November and a welcome dinner hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, before the leaders' plenary on 19 November.

At the summit, Lee will deliver a message on peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and urge regional countries to support Seoul's efforts to resume talks with North Korea. Bilateral meetings with other major leaders, including US President Donald Trump, were still under discussion and had not been confirmed, a senior presidential official said.

Source: Reuters