Moon Visits Malaysia

President Moon Jae-in visited Malaysia Tuesday and attended a Korean pop culture and halal exhibition organized by Korean corporations, on the second day of his state visit to ASEAN countries.

Moon and first lady Kim Jung-sook, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur in the afternoon, participated in the combined exhibition held at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jayato ? a satellite town of Kuala Lumpur ? to enhance cultural ties between the countries.

Moon will be the first head of state to be received by King Yang di-Pertuan Agong since the Malaysian leader took office on Jan 31. His visit to Malaysia was followed by a state visit to Brunei on Tuesday, where he and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah agreed to expand their partnership from the energy industry to intellectual property during a summit Tuesday, according to Cheong Wa Dae, in a move to boost relations with Southeast Asian nations.

His moves are part of initiatives under his New Southern Policy which seeks to improve economic and diplomatic ties with ASEAN countries.

Moon has pledged to visit all 10 ASEAN countries before his term ends in 2022. He is also scheduled to host a summit later this year involving the heads of all 10 ASEAN states to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of South Korea-ASEAN talks.

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