▲ This EPA file photo shows (from L to R) East Timor's Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang, Philippines' Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Brunei's Second Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof and Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn holding hands during a group photo session at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Mactan Expo in Cebu province, central Philippines, on May 7, 2026. (Yonhap)

S Korea-East Timor FMs

Foreign minister of East Timor to make 1st official visit to S. Korea

SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- East Timor's top diplomat plans to visit Seoul next week for talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the economy, security and a range of other sectors, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday.

The visit by East Timorese Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas will mark the first official trip to South Korea by an East Timorese top diplomat since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 2002, according to the ministry.

During talks scheduled for Monday, Cho and Freitas will discuss cooperation in the economy, development, security and international affairs, as well as ways to implement the vision for the comprehensive strategic partnership between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ministry said.

Timor-Leste became ASEAN's 11th member in October 2025.

"The upcoming talks are expected to provide an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral ties and explore ways to deepen cooperation between South Korea and ASEAN," ministry spokesperson Park Il said at a press briefing.

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