President Park Geun-hye, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasized cooperation among their three nations on Nov. 1.

The three leaders held the sixth Trilateral Summit Meeting at Cheong Wa Dae where they adopted the Joint Declaration for Peace and Cooperation in Northeast Asia.

In the joint declaration, the three leaders said, “We share the view that trilateral cooperation has been completely restored on the occasion of this summit, held almost three and a half years after the fifth Trilateral Summit in May 2012.”

In this regard, they also stated that, “We reaffirm that the Trilateral Summit is to be held on a regular basis in the three countries.”

In the declaration, the three leaders expressed their will to bolster trilateral cooperation, saying, “Affirming that the deepening of trilateral cooperation will contribute to the stable development of respective bilateral ties among the three countries and for the realization of peace, stability and prosperity across Northeast Asia, we will further institutionalize trilateral cooperation and develop a process of dialogue and cooperation.”

Regarding measures to boost trilateral cooperation, they said in the declaration that, “Speaking highly of the efforts made by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) in advancing trilateral cooperation, we express support for the capacity-building of the TCS and its participation in all ministerial-level consultative mechanisms within the framework of trilateral cooperation. Accordingly, we share the view that the creation of a Trilateral Cooperation Fund (TCF) would be instrumental for the development of trilateral cooperation projects.”




In regard to interpretations of history, the declaration stated that, "In the spirit of facing history squarely and advancing toward the future, we agree that the three countries should address related issues properly and work together to improve bilateral relations and strengthen trilateral cooperation."

Concerning the three-nation free trade agreement (FTA), the declaration said, “We will make further efforts toward the acceleration of trilateral FTA negotiations, to realize a comprehensive, high-level and mutually beneficial FTA.”

In order to boost regional cooperation, the leaders said, “The leaders of Japan and the People’s Republic of China highly appreciate and welcome, and agreed to further develop, the Republic of Korea’s 'Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative' (NAPCI) aimed at building trust in the region through dialogue and cooperation.” They also said that, “We will contribute to expanding trilateral cooperation by strengthening trust across the region and we will continue to pursue high-level meetings relevant to the NAPCI.”

Regarding issues involving the Korean Peninsula, the three leaders said, “We oppose any action that may cause tension on the Korean Peninsula or violate relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions.”

In the joint declaration, they also said, “We decided to continue our joint efforts to resume meaningful Six Party Talks at an early date, to make substantial progress in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.”



The three leaders again emphasized their will to strengthen the trilateral relationship at the Korea-China-Japan Business Summit on the same day.

President Park said, “Considering the economic volume, geographic accessibility, and cultural similarity among the three countries, we have infinite potential in economic cooperation among the three countries.”

She proposed building an economic community among the three countries, cooperating on future growth industries, and jointly responding to global issues as methods of economic cooperation among the three countries.

Prime Minister Abe also highlighted trilateral cooperation.

He said, “It will be very important and meaningful for the economic development of Asia and the world if the three countries seek an FTA and negotiate on a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.”



Chinese Premier Li said, “Korea, Japan and China are the pillars of economic prosperity in Asia and an important foundation for the world economy.”

He hoped that the three countries could cooperate by making investments in the "platform of innovation." Premier Li also said he would push forward trilateral cooperation on sports and education, while underlining the importance of people-to-people cooperation.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae, Yonhap News
arete@korea.kr