By Oh Hyun Woo and Kim Hwaya

The foreign ministers of Korea, China and Japan on Aug. 21 agreed in Beijing on the need for trilateral cooperation amid continuing tension between Tokyo and Seoul due to the former's export restrictions on the latter.

In a meeting with her Chinese and Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said trilateral cooperation should "unwaveringly" proceed without influence from bilateral relations.

"The three countries have achieved prosperity through multilateral trade that is both free and fair and based on norms," adding, "We expect this type of cooperation based on the principles of free trade."

"We also expect cooperation among the three countries to contribute to peace on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen free trade, and promote bilateral relations."

In the opening statement, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, "Cooperation among the three countries has contributed to global development," adding, "Bilateral conflict should be resolved under a constructive attitude of dialogue and cooperation and should not influence trilateral cooperation."

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono acknowledged the need for trilateral cooperation but differed a bit in his stance by saying the resolution of bilateral conflict is the first condition toward tripartite collaboration.

hyunw54@korea.kr