South Korea, China, and Japan Diplomats Agree to Rekindle Trilateral Meetings

In 2008, the three countries initiated an agreement to hold an annual summit to promote regional cooperation. However, this initiative has faced challenges stemming from bilateral disputes and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent trilateral summit took place in 2019.

According to South Korea’s foreign ministry, specific dates for the leaders’ meetings are still under discussion. It has been proposed that the foreign ministers of the three nations will meet “in a couple of months.” South Korea, as the host for this year’s three-way meetings, has suggested a summit in late December, as reported by Japanese broadcaster TBS.

Japan’s Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, emphasized the shared urgency to restart high-level talks, including summits, “as soon as possible.” She stated, “I believe it is very valuable to discuss the various challenges the region faces.”

This recent meeting is perceived, in part, as an effort to address Beijing’s concerns about the deepening cooperation between the two U.S. allies, South Korea and Japan. Earlier this year, Seoul and Tokyo reached an agreement to resolve legal, diplomatic, and trade disputes stemming from Japan’s occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin expressed the unanimous belief that cooperation serves the common interests of the three nations. He emphasized the importance of enhancing practical cooperation to contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have taken steps to mend bilateral ties. In August, they held a historic trilateral summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, during which the three leaders pledged to strengthen cooperation in defence and economic security.

A senior South Korean official noted that China has been actively seeking trilateral cooperation and meetings since bilateral relations soured in 2017 over the deployment of a U.S. THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea. The official also acknowledged China’s desire to manage its bilateral relations with South Korea effectively.

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China is likely to leverage trilateral trade relations to balance the U.S. “friend-shoring” strategy and promote people-to-people exchanges. Additionally, China aims to enhance communication and dialogue with Seoul and Tokyo on security and defence matters. Japan and South Korea share an interest in maintaining a stable security relationship with China while seeking assistance in addressing North Korea’s nuclear development program.

China’s Premier traditionally attends trilateral summits, and South Korea is advocating for a separate visit by President Xi Jinping. The recent meeting involved South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won, Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi, and Nong Rong, China’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The resumption of trilateral meetings holds significant implications for regional stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia, and international observers continue to monitor developments closely.