The Foreign Ministry will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and Yonsei University Friday on sharing roles in organizing the inaugural assembly of an international forum of 13 Asian countries in December.

Last year, the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus South Korea, Japan and China agreed to launch the East Asian Forum (EAF) to explore ways of enhancing cooperation among members.

South Korea proposed hosting the forum's inaugural meeting in Seoul Dec. 15-16 and the suggestion was endorsed by other countries.

Each delegation to the forum will be composed of three officials representing the nation's government, industry and academia.

The ministry said Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan, KITA Chairman Kim Jae-chul and Yonsei University President Kim Woo-sik will attend the MOU signing ceremony.