"Ankle Injury" Choi Tae-won... Japanese Chamber of Commerce Chairman Says "Take It Slow"

Korea-Japan Chamber of Commerce Presidents' Meeting Held for the First Time in 6 Years

The Korea-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) chairpersons' meeting was held on the 9th for the first time in six years. Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attended the meeting despite a leg injury, and Ken Kobayashi, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, showed consideration by telling Chairman Choi, who was moving with crutches, to "take it slow."

Chairman Choi attended the 12th Korea-Japan CCI Chairpersons' Meeting held at the Signiel Hotel in Busan that morning. This meeting was especially meaningful as about 30 chairpersons from both countries gathered in one place for the first time in six years.

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (right), and Kobayashi Ken, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are entering the venue of the 12th Korea-Japan Chamber of Commerce Chairpersons' Meeting held on the 9th at the Signiel Hotel in Busan.

Chairman Choi appeared around 8:55 a.m. that day in a wheelchair. After getting off the elevator, he switched from the wheelchair to crutches and was warmly welcomed by Chairman Kobayashi, who was waiting right in front of him.

Chairman Kobayashi asked, "Are you okay? It's nice to see you again," to which Chairman Choi replied, "I'm fine. It hasn't been long since I got injured, so it took some time to figure out how to treat it. I wasn't sure if I could come today, but I managed to make it."

When Chairman Kobayashi asked, "What is your condition?" Chairman Choi said, "My leg ligament is torn." In response, Chairman Kobayashi showed consideration by saying, "Take it slow, take it slow."

Chairman Choi said, "We should be taking care of you, but since I am like this, you are actually taking care of me," and Chairman Kobayashi smiled and wrapped his arm around Chairman Choi's shoulder, saying, "It's okay."

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry held the 12th Korea-Japan Chamber of Commerce Presidents' Meeting together with the Japan Chamber of Commerce at the Signiel Hotel in Busan on the 9th.

On this day, the chairpersons of the two countries' CCIs issued a joint statement pledging active cooperation regarding the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo and the 2030 Busan Expo, which is their target for hosting.

The joint statement included, "In response to changes in the international economic order, we will promote cooperation on common challenges faced by Korea and Japan, such as low birth rates, aging populations leading to population decline, rebuilding supply chains based on economic security, carbon neutrality, establishing AI governance, AI security, digitalization, and support for startups," and stated, "We will continue to review specific Korea-Japan cooperation policies in connection with other economic organizations."

It also pledged, "As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and international human exchanges rapidly recover, we will promote the resumption of exchanges at the local level, such as between Korea-Japan sister cities, and realize broad exchanges in various fields including economy, tourism, culture, and education to further deepen mutual understanding."