Held After 1 Year and 4 Months
Wang Yi: "Great Potential for Trilateral Cooperation"
Iwaya: "Overcoming Division and Confrontation"
The foreign ministers of Korea, China, and Japan met again on the 22nd after one year and four months.
At the opening remarks of the meeting held at the Ikura Diplomatic Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, Japan, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said, "It is important to ensure that the momentum of trilateral cooperation, which was revitalized when the summit was held in Seoul last year for the first time in four and a half years, does not stop," adding, "This meeting holds special significance."
Cho Tae-yeol, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea (right), Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (also Minister of Foreign Affairs, left), and Takeshi Iwaya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, are taking a commemorative photo on the 21st, the day before the Korea-China-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Photo by Yonhap News
He continued, "A rolling wheel gains speed more easily, but it is difficult to turn something that has stopped again," and added, "We must maintain the current positive momentum."
Minister Cho cited strengthening substance and institutionalization, enhancing practical cooperation that the public can feel, and contributing to peace and prosperity on a global scale as the directions for trilateral cooperation, saying, "Peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are essential conditions for peace and prosperity in East Asia and the world." He also added, "I hope frank discussions on the North Korean issue will take place."
Wang Yi, Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office of the Communist Party of China (also serving as Foreign Minister), said, "Trilateral cooperation among Korea, China, and Japan is the framework with the greatest development potential in East Asia," and mentioned that the three countries are working to resume free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations as soon as possible.
Director Wang also noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Anti-Japanese and World Anti-Fascist War, stating, "At this important moment, the three countries must face history squarely, reflect on future-oriented awareness, uphold Korea-China-Japan cooperation, and promote development."
Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi said, "The current international situation is becoming more difficult, and it is no exaggeration to say that we are at a turning point in history," adding, "It is important to work together through cooperation to overcome division and confrontation."
He also said, "As neighboring countries, the three nations sometimes face difficult issues," but added, "Even in such circumstances, having honest dialogue while promoting future-oriented exchanges and cooperation is a common interest of the three countries and is extremely important for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community."
The Korea-China-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held for the first time in one year and four months since it was last held in Busan in November 2023.
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