S Korea's Moon starts 3-nation tour next week

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will begin a three-nation tour next week to improve his country's relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation, he will travel to Brunei, Malaysia and Cambodia from March 10 to March 16.

"…Asean members states will be the destination of my first overseas tour this year," Moon has written in an article ahead of his visit.

The South Korean president has already promised to visit the 10-member countries of Asean before his five-year term ends in 2022.

Diplomatic sources in Dhaka said the South Korean president will leave the country on March 10  for Brunei for a three-day bilateral visit and will hold meeting with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to discuss ways to successfully hold a special South Korea-Asean summit in Brunei.  

The South Korean president will leave Brunei on March 12 and head for Malaysia, where he will hold a summit with Sultan Abdullah of Pahang. He will also hold talks with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Korean media reported.

In Cambodia, Moon will hold a summit with Prime Minister Hun Sen to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and promote joint prosperity. He will conclude his visit in Phnom Penh on March 16.