Yoon "Three Nations Unite to Address Global Challenges" Kishida "Historical Turning Point" Li Chang "New Start"

Yoon and Kishida, Japanese Prime Minister: "Firm Response to North Korea's Satellite Launch"
Li Qiang, Chinese Premier: "Pursuing Full Resumption of Trilateral Cooperation"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 9th Korea-Japan-China Summit held on the 27th at the Blue House State Guesthouse. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 27th, "Even issues difficult to resolve in bilateral relations can be addressed through trilateral cooperation," adding, "I hope that on the solid foundation of trilateral cooperation, we can expand the scope of collaboration with regional partners."

During his opening remarks at the 9th Korea-Japan-China Summit held at the Blue House State Guest House, President Yoon emphasized, "We must also strengthen the stability and sustainability of trilateral cooperation."

He said, "The fact that the leaders of the three countries have overcome the common crisis of COVID-19 and gathered here today holds great significance for the peoples of our three countries and the international community," and added, "Especially this year marks the 25th anniversary of trilateral cooperation, making today's gathering after four years and five months even more meaningful."

He continued, "The driving force behind trilateral cooperation is above all the support of our peoples," stressing, "We must strive to improve the health, safety, living standards, and quality of life of our citizens through trilateral cooperation. We should pursue practical cooperation measures that the peoples of the three countries can tangibly feel."

He also expressed hope that "the three countries will join forces to respond to global challenges," stating, "As our three countries currently serve as non-permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, I hope we can pool our wisdom and strength in the face of complex global crises and geopolitical conflicts to contribute together to peace and prosperity in the international community."

President Yoon recalled, "When we faced the unprecedented challenge of the 1997 East Asian financial crisis, we opened a new opportunity for trilateral cooperation," and noted, "The various regional and global challenges we face today can also be transformed into new opportunities to promote communication and expand the horizons of cooperation among the three countries." He expressed hope that this Korea-Japan-China Summit would become a historic milestone marking a new start and leap forward in trilateral cooperation.

Furthermore, he urged the international community to respond firmly to North Korea's announced satellite launch. President Yoon stated, "Any launch using ballistic missile technology is a direct violation of UN Security Council resolutions and undermines regional and global peace and stability," adding, "If North Korea proceeds with the launch despite international warnings, the international community must respond firmly."

President Yoon Suk-yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang are attending the 9th Korea-Japan-China Summit held at the Blue House State Guesthouse on the 27th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Fumio Kishida: "Discussing Concrete Cooperation Suitable for the Current Era"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also emphasized, "North Korea has once again announced a satellite launch," and warned, "If the launch is carried out, it will violate UN Security Council resolutions, and we strongly demand North Korea to stop."

Following President Yoon's remarks, Prime Minister Kishida said, "Today, we intend to use this opportunity to strengthen communication among the three countries regarding the North Korean situation, international affairs, and strengthening the international economic order."

He expressed concern, saying, "We are now at a turning point in history. The international situation is becoming more severe than ever before," and added, "Along with advances in science and technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), issues like climate change, food and energy crises, infectious diseases, low birth rates, and aging populations are becoming more serious."

He continued, "The three countries are neighboring nations sharing culture and a long history, and currently, the combined gross domestic product (GDP) of the three countries exceeds 20% of the global GDP, so our responsibility for regional and global stability and prosperity is increasing," emphasizing, "We must pool our wisdom to expand trilateral cooperation in a way that benefits both the region and the international community, leading the international community from division and confrontation to cooperation."

He added, "Trilateral cooperation will have a fresh start," and said, "I look forward to in-depth discussions with President Yoon and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on whether we can promote concrete cooperation suitable for the current era."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the joint press conference of the 9th Korea-Japan-China Summit held at the Blue House State Guesthouse on the 27th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Li Qiang: "Cooperation Based on Non-Exclusive and Non-Discriminatory Principles"

Lastly, Premier Li stated in his remarks, "Facing new circumstances and new figures, the three countries must show new responsibilities and new actions to better adapt to the trends of the times and achieve better common development."

In particular, Premier Li said, "We must uphold the spirit of openness and inclusiveness to gather more driving forces for cooperation," and added, "We will promote the full resumption of trilateral cooperation with an open attitude and transparent measures based on non-exclusive and non-discriminatory principles."

He continued, "We should resolve doubts and misunderstandings through frank dialogue, safeguard bilateral relations with the spirit of strategic autonomy, promote a multipolar world, and oppose bloc formation and polarization."

Premier Li mentioned, "We must uphold mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and unleash the potential for sustained cooperation," stating, "We should regard each other as partners in development and opportunities for growth, protect economic globalization and free trade, oppose politicization and securitization of economic and trade issues, and resist trade protectionism and decoupling."

Furthermore, he said, "Through exchanges, we should learn from each other and activate greater vitality for cooperation," adding, "The peoples of the three countries, especially the youth, should frequently visit and interact to build a popular foundation for friendly cooperation." However, Premier Li did not specifically mention the possibility of North Korea's satellite launch.