President Lee Jae Myung (far right) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Oct. 27 hold a bilateral summit at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Yonhap News)

By Kang Gahui

President Lee Jae Myung on Oct. 27 began his official diplomatic schedule in Malaysia with the Korea-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit and bilateral talks with Cambodia.

First for the president was a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on joint responses to online crimes in Cambodia targeting Koreans and advancement of their bilateral strategic partnership.

In the ensuing Korea-ASEAN Summit, a blueprint was presented for the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) between Seoul and the regional body.

The CSP's name is derived from the first letters of three visions: "contributor" for dreams and hope, "springboard" for growth and innovation, and "partner" for peace and stability. The initiative reflects a commitment to elevate Korea-ASEAN ties to a substantive partnership.

President Lee was scheduled to attend later the ASEAN Plus Three (Korea, China and Japan) summit to urge expansion of cooperation between ASEAN and the three Northeast Asian countries. They also planned to discuss higher practical cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, infrastructure and the defense industry.

kgh89@korea.kr