The leader made the remarks in a tweet shortly before departing for Brunei, the first leg of his three-nation tour that also includes visits to Malaysia and Cambodia.
"The future will be an era for Asia", he wrote, adding that through this tour, he will reduce the distance between the RoK and ASEAN and will expand RoK businesses' inroads (into the region) and practical cooperation.
He went on to say: "With ASEAN, I will seek to build a people-oriented community of peace and prosperity".
The president touted Brunei as a "gem-like" country with rich natural resources, while casting Malaysia as a key ASEAN state that embraces diversity and leads efforts for peace in Asia and praising Cambodia's "stunning" economic growth.
The RoK has been pushing the "New Southern Policy" designed to cement ties largely with ASEAN, which is a crucial partner for the country due to the organisation’s growth potential, rich resources and growing diplomatic influence.-
