President Lee Myung‐bak, who leaves Monday (Mar. 2) to visit three southern Pacific countries, will expose his new Asian strategies during the tour, Cheong Wa Dae said.

Korea''s diplomacy has until now mainly been focusing on northeast Asian countries, but it will expand to countries in southeastern, central and southwestern Asia and even to the south Pacific region, the presidential office said.

Diplomatic agenda items will also expand from economic cooperation to include security and cultural issues, the office said.

In that vein, President Lee plans to visit central Asian countries in the first quarter of this year, and invite 10 heads of ASEAN countries to Korea in June for the Korea‐ASEAN summit to be held on Jeju‐do (island), said the office.

Lee''s visit to New Zealand (Mar. 3‐4), Australia (Mar. 4‐6) and Indonesia (Mar. 7‐8) will be the first step for his new Asian diplomacy, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

During the one‐week tour, President Lee will meet with New Zealand''s Prime Minster John Key, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.