FM Cho calls for stronger S. Korea-China-Japan cooperation for regional peace

Seoul, September 30 - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has urged South Korea, China, and Japan to enhance their collaboration to foster peace and prosperity in the region, according to a ministry statement. This request came during a meeting on Tuesday between Cho and Tatsushi Nishioka, secretary-general of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), along with Deputy Secretaries-General Kim Han-kyu from South Korea and Li Jing from China, as they celebrated the start of their respective roles, reported the ministry.

The TCS, founded in Seoul in 2011 following a South Korean proposal at the second trilateral summit in 2009, works on various initiatives, including cultural exchanges, to boost three-way cooperation between the nations. Cho emphasized the significance of Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo working together to serve the best interests of their citizens and achieve regional stability.

He affirmed that the South Korean government will maintain an active role in facilitating dialogue among the three countries and urged the TCS to act as a communication hub. TCS officials expressed gratitude for Seoul's support and committed to fostering deeper trilateral cooperation through joint projects. The TCS leadership, serving three-year terms in the order of South Korea, Japan, and China, will remain in office until August 31, 2029.