S. Korea to celebrate ASEAN week ahead of summit

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government said Monday it will hold cultural and academic programs later this month to celebrate South Korea's ties with Southeast Asia ahead of a scheduled summit between South Korea and ASEAN nations.

South Korea is set to host a series of summits and ministerial meetings among
leaders of ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in a special
session on the country's resort island of Jeju on June 1-2. This year marks the
20th anniversary of South Korea becoming ASEAN's dialogue partner. The Jeju
event is also aimed at strengthening South Korea's relations with the regional
bloc under what it calls a "New Asia Initiative."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it will hold a round of cultural
performances, such as traditional fashion shows and photo exhibitions, and
academic forums under various themes related to Southeast Asia in Seoul and Jeju
during the "ASEAN Week" from May 24 to June 2.
"We expect the event to help expand people's understanding of Southeast Asian
nations," the ministry said in a statement.