South Korea, China, Japan Vow to Ramp Up Cooperation in Rare Summit

Seoul, May 27: Top leaders from South Korea, China, and Japan convened on Monday for their first trilateral summit in nearly five years, pledging to enhance cooperation and address regional stability. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met in Seoul, marking a significant diplomatic engagement following years of strained relations and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite North Korea not being officially on the agenda, the three leaders emphasized the importance of Pyongyang’s denuclearization. Prime Minister Kishida highlighted that the denuclearization of North Korea was a “common interest” shared by all three countries. Hours before the summit, North Korea announced plans to launch another spy satellite, a move that would violate multiple UN sanctions prohibiting tests using ballistic technology.

Both Yoon and Kishida urged North Korea to cancel the launch, with Yoon warning that it would “undermine regional and global peace and stability.” He called for a “decisive” international response if North Korea proceeds with the launch, which South Korea claims is supported by Russia in exchange for arms used in Ukraine.

“We once again confirmed that North Korea’s denuclearization and stability on the Korean Peninsula are in the common interest of our three countries,” Kishida said after the meeting. Yoon echoed this sentiment, describing the issue as a “shared responsibility and interest” for the trio.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the willingness of the three nations to seek “mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation,” according to Xinhua. He called for opposing the politicization of economic and trade issues, rejecting protectionism, and preventing the severing of supply chains.

The summit also included discussions on trade and investment. Yoon stated that the countries had “decided to create a transparent and predictable environment for trade and investment, and to establish a safe supply chain.” Following the talks, the leaders participated in a business summit aimed at boosting trade, attended by top industry leaders from all three countries.

Analysts note that while the summit marks a step forward, the divergent positions of the three nations on key issues, such as North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and ties with Russia, pose challenges to achieving consensus on sensitive geopolitical matters. Yoon, who took office in 2022, has aimed to improve relations with Japan, a former colonial power, in the face of rising threats from North Korea.

The summit concluded with an agreement to hold trilateral summits more regularly, underscoring the leaders’ commitment to strengthening their cooperation. “The trilateral cooperation system should be strengthened. We have decided to hold trilateral summits on a regular basis,” Yoon stated.

President Xi Jinping is China’s top leader, with Li serving as premier. The summit’s outcomes reflect a cautious yet significant step towards greater regional cooperation amid complex geopolitical dynamics.

The meeting comes as North Korea prepares for a potential satellite launch, following its first reconnaissance satellite launch last November, which was widely condemned as a violation of UN sanctions. South Korean and US intelligence authorities are closely monitoring preparations for another launch, which could occur as early as Monday, according to Pyongyang’s notification to Tokyo.

“North Korea, China, and Russia have effectively claimed that launching reconnaissance satellites does not breach UN Security Council sanctions imposed on Pyongyang,” said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. “However, considering China’s involvement, it appears the North will likely hold off on any launches during the trilateral meeting, convened after a significant break, in deference to Beijing’s stance.”