President Lee Jae Myung began a crucial week of diplomacy in Asia on Sunday. His top priority is tackling transnational scams and strengthening regional cooperation. Lee traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the ASEAN Summit before returning to Korea to chair the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju later this week.
This marks Lee’s first ASEAN trip since taking office in June. His agenda focuses on boosting collaboration against transnational scams that are spreading across Southeast Asia. Many South Koreans have fallen victim to online fraud schemes in countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
At the ASEAN meetings on Monday, Lee will meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. They plan to discuss joint strategies to combat criminal networks. Cambodia has faced criticism after a 22-year-old Korean man died near a scam compound in Kampot Province.
Lee will also meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who chairs the ASEAN Summit. Their talks will focus on cybersecurity and preventing digital crimes.
Before leaving for Malaysia, Lee led a government meeting in Seoul. He urged stronger measures against rising online fraud cases. He warned that failure to act could raise both social and economic costs for South Korea.
National Security Director Wi Sung-lac said scam operations thrive near borders with weak enforcement. He added that cooperation with Cambodia will be a first step toward broader multilateral efforts.
After completing his ASEAN engagements, Lee will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting from Friday to Saturday. The event in Gyeongju will gather leaders from 21 member economies, including the United States, China, Canada, and Singapore.
A major highlight will be the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Their talks could influence ongoing trade tensions between the two superpowers.
Lee will also meet Trump on Wednesday to discuss trade and security issues. Later, he will hold a one-on-one meeting with Xi Jinping after the APEC chairmanship handover ceremony.
A possible meeting with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is being arranged. The schedule has not yet been finalized, according to officials.
During the APEC week, Lee will deliver a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit. He will also chair sessions on sustainable growth and digital innovation. In addition, he will host a luncheon with the APEC Business Advisory Council and a dinner with world business leaders.
Experts say Lee’s focus on transnational scams shows his commitment to protecting citizens abroad and securing Korea’s digital economy. His active diplomacy highlights Seoul’s growing influence in shaping Asia’s regional security and trade agenda.
