The International Multilateral Diplomacy Council holds a news conference in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul, on Aug 9, 2023, to call for a trilateral summit between China, South Korea and Japan. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
The time has come for China, Japan and South Korea to redefine their trilateral relationship, and Seoul should work toward renewing a summit between the three neighbors.
The call was made by the International Multilateral Diplomacy Council, a South Korean organization, during a news conference in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul on Aug 9.
The three-way summit involving the Asian neighbors was first held in Japan in 2008. However, such trilateral leaders’ meetings have been put on hold since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strained relations between South Korea and Japan over a wartime labor dispute
The council’s statement came on the heels of meetings held by Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in Jakarta last month.
If the friendly atmosphere can continue and lead to an actual summit between the three countries, “it will be especially meaningful because South Korea will chair the trilateral summit for the first time in four years”, the council said.
The three-way summit involving the Asian neighbors was first held in Japan in 2008.
However, such trilateral leaders’ meetings have been put on hold since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strained relations between South Korea and Japan over a wartime labor dispute.
The news conference was hosted by Kim Moon-jun, a professor from Kongju National University. Lee Chang-ho, chairman of the council; Kim Pil-yong, president of the Korea Journalists Association; Seon Jong-bok, former head of Seoul North District Office of Education; Roh Ji-hoon, president of the Association for the Promotion of International Culture; and Park Hyun-soo, central committee member of the council, participated in the event.
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Noting that the holding of the trilateral summit can be an important turning point in improving South Korea-China relations, the council said the South Korean government should actively work to restore relations with China as well as Japan.
In a resolution adopted during the news conference, the council said South Korea and China should make efforts to achieve a more mature bilateral relationship.
It also said that the three regional neighbors, which account for 25 percent of the world’s GDP, should hold discussions on non-sensitive economic areas since the people are among the most vulnerable during international conflicts.
A strategic approach to a new level of trilateral relationship is also required to rationally address the security issue on the Korean Peninsula, the council said.
“The trilateral summit between South Korea, China and Japan should be held at the earliest opportunity to ‘uphold the initial focus and mission’ of trilateral cooperation,” the council said.
It added that the three countries should further strengthen their cooperation and safeguard global peace and prosperity.
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Noting the summit has been suspended since 2019, the council said it would be very for the leaders of South Korea, China and Japan, who share great responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the Northeast Asian region, to discuss the direction of cooperation and specific modes of cooperation, as well as various challenges in the region.
"We once again strongly call for the immediate restart of the trilateral dialogue process, including at the ministerial level as well as the leaders of the three countries,” the council said.
China has said repeatedly that it wishes to enhance communication and exchanges with South Korea and Japan through trilateral meetings.
In early July, Wang said the trilateral cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea needs to repack its gear and start again.
Addressing the 2023 International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, Wang said China will vigorously promote opening up at a higher level, and welcomes Japan and South Korea to get on board the express train of China's high-quality development, to jointly create a bright future for the three countries and Asia at large.
