Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo speaks during a press briefing on President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to three Southeast Asian countries starting on Sunday at the presidential office in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will establish a comprehensive strategic partnership during President Yoon Suk Yeol's attendance at the ASEAN Summit in Laos next week, the presidential office said, Thursday.

On the sidelines of the summit, Yoon will also seek to hold a summit with new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

He will also make state visits to the Philippines and Singapore.

The presidential office said his six-day visit to the Southeast Asian countries starting Sunday aims to strengthen economic and regional security ties with those nations.

The first leg of the itinerary will begin with a state visit to the Philippines, where Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee are scheduled to arrive in Manila on Sunday. This marks the first state visit by a Korean president in nearly 13 years, following former President Lee Myung-bak's trip in November 2011. It also coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Yoon and Kim will commence their state visit by placing a wreath at a memorial for Korean War veterans, followed by a meeting with the local Korean community later in the day.

On Monday, Yoon will pay tribute at a monument honoring José Rizal, the Philippine independence hero, before holding a summit with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. at Malacanang Palace. The leaders of the two countries plan to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and hold a joint press briefing.

The two leaders aim to elevate the already robust economic ties between the two nations by expanding trade and investment cooperation into future-oriented sectors, including supply chains, energy, mining, and maritime industries.

Following the summit, the president will attend the Korea-Philippines Business Forum organized by key business associations from both nations, with representatives of approximately 40 Korean companies taking part.

President Yoon Suk Yeol holds a phone conversation with new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the presidential office in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

He will then travel to Singapore on Tuesday, where a welcoming ceremony will be held at the Parliament of Singapore. This visit, which comes ahead of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Singapore next year, aims to modernize and enhance bilateral cooperation in response to evolving global dynamics and rapid technological advancements, according to the presidential office.

Yoon will meet with Singapore's head of state, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and hold a summit with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to explore ways to enhance practical cooperation between the two countries. The two leaders will participate in a signing ceremony for treaties and MOUs, followed by a joint press briefing.

On Wednesday, Yoon will deliver a speech at the Singapore Lecture, a prestigious lecture series supported by the Singaporean government.

His lecture will be the first opportunity to present to a foreign audience the significance of international solidarity behind his "Aug. 15 Unification Doctrine." He will explain how a unified Korea, envisioned as a free and open state, could contribute to expanding freedom, peace, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Park Chun-sup, senior presidential secretary for economic affairs, speaks during a press briefing about President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to three Southeast Asian countries next week, at the presidential office in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Starting Thursday, the president will attend the Korea-ASEAN Summit in Laos, followed by the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, which includes leaders from ASEAN, Korea, Japan, and China. He will also hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from eight countries, including Vietnam and Thailand, as well as a summit with Thongloun Sisoulith, the president of Laos and the ASEAN chair for this year.

On Oct. 11, the president is scheduled to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS).

The presidential office emphasized that the relationship between Korea and ASEAN will elevate to a new level, building upon the past 35 years of partnership.

"Building on the active implementation of the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative, which began last year, Korea has now decided to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN, elevating the Korea-ASEAN relationship to its highest level," Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said during a press briefing.

"This elevation of relations marks the first time since the establishment of the strategic partnership between Korea and ASEAN in 2010, demonstrating that the relationship has reached a peak level," Kim noted, explaining that the comprehensive strategic partnership is a unique status that ASEAN has established with only five out of 11 dialogue partner countries.

Also anticipated is the first summit between Yoon and Ishiba that will take place during the ASEAN Summit, contingent upon the prime minister's confirmation to attend the event .