Yoon voices hope for swift reactivation of S. Korea-China-Japan cooperation

All News 11:19 November 12, 2022

By Lee Haye-ah

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk-yeol on Saturday voiced hope for a swift reactivation of trilateral cooperation mechanisms among South Korea, China and Japan.

Yoon made the remark during a summit involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and South Korea, China and Japan, known as the ASEAN Plus Three, which brought together the leaders of nine ASEAN countries, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

"South Korea will play an active role as this year's chair of the South Korea-China-Japan summit and coordinator representing South Korea, China and Japan for the ASEAN Plus Three," Yoon said. "I hope trilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the South Korea-China-Japan summit, will be swiftly reactivated."

The three nations have not held a trilateral summit in nearly three years. The last such meeting was held in China in December 2019.

Yoon also noted this year marks 25 years since the launch of the ASEAN Plus Three and that the grouping has played a large role in strengthening practical cooperation between ASEAN and East Asia during that time.

"I hope we will further strengthen cooperation going forward to overcome the multiple crises we face," he said, citing war and human rights violations, as well as a crisis in food security and energy security.

"I believe we must overcome these complex crises through our solidarity and cooperation," Yoon said, adding there will be results for international peace and prosperity if ASEAN and the three East Asian nations respond jointly to challenges.