Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung and Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith are set to meet in Seoul for summit talks early next week, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations and addressing key issues, such as joint responses to online scam crimes, as announced by the presidential office.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Thongloun is expected to arrive on Sunday for a two-day official visit, with the summit scheduled for next Monday. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, in a written briefing, stated that the discussions will encompass topics like economy, security, trade, investment, and cooperation on transnational crimes, including online scams, infrastructure, supply chains, people-to-people exchanges, and regional and international issues.

The collaboration comes in the wake of South Korea's efforts to work with Southeast Asian nations to tackle an increase in criminal activities involving Korean nationals, such as online scams, illegal gambling, and drug trafficking. Thongloun's visit to Seoul follows his recent trip to Pyongyang, where he engaged in summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during the 80th founding anniversary of North Korea's ruling party, aiming to bolster bilateral ties.

Additionally, Thongloun's visit marks the 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Laos. The two nations initially established diplomatic ties in 1974, but these were severed the following year due to the emergence of communist regimes in Southeast Asia post-Vietnam War. Diplomatic relations were later restored in 1995.