South Korean Finance Minister Yoon Jeung-hyun would seek cooperation and countermeasures against the regional economic slump during the upcoming ASEAN+3 meeting next week, South Korean government said on Wednesday.

The meeting will deal with various issues, such as regional economic situation, policy measures against economic slowdown and regional financial cooperation," said a statement by the Finance Ministry.

Another important issue to be discussed and finalized is the subject of increasing the US$80 billion joint fund, which was originally created as a measure against the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, the ministry said.

The ASEAN Plus Three special meeting is set to be held in Phuket, Thailand, on Sunday, the ministry said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2009)