Roh Arrives in Bali for ASEAN Summit

Roh Arrives in Bali for ASEAN Summit

BALI, Indonesia - President Roh Moo-hyun arrived here Monday (Oct. 6) for an array of summit meetings to discuss regional security and economic issues including the continuing row over the North Korean nuclear issue.

In his first bilateral summit on the sidelines of ASEAN Plus Three meeting, Roh met with Indian President Abdul Kalam to exchange views on mutual concerns at the Hyatt Hotel, where he is staying.

The two heads of state agreed to further promote bilateral trade and investment relations in the areas of information and technology, construction and natural resources.

Roh asked the Indian president to support Seoul¡¯s bid to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff in a peaceful manner, while the latter welcomed the ongoing efforts to press for further six-way dialogue.

After the summit talks, Roh met with a group of Koreans living in Bali and attended a banquet hosted for his entourage.

Roh will on Tuesday attend a trade summit meeting at the Hilton Hotel to give a key-note speech on South Korea's investment climate.

He will then chair a trilateral summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao from 11:45 a.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt.

The three will coordinate ways of inducing North Korea to the dialogue table for more six-party talks. The North has been refusing the call for dialogue to resume, criticizing the United States for having spoiled diplomatic efforts on the issue.

At the end of the summit, the three leaders will adopt a joint statement calling for the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, urging the North to resume dialogue as soon as possible.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Plus Three conference, Roh will also hold a meeting with other Asian nations before returning to Seoul on Thursday. The ASEAN Plus Three includes 10 Southeast Asian member nations along with South Korea, Japan and China.

¡°Roh will focus on setting up a cooperative channel for the promotion of a community for mutual prosperity in Asian region,¡± said a Foreign Affairs-Trade Ministry official accompanying Roh.

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