The 5th Korea-Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Kyoto, Japan, on March 19 with Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan and his Japanese and Chinese counterparts, Takeaki Matsumoto and Yang Jiechi, in attendance.

Prior to the Meeting, the three Foreign Ministers paid a silent tribute to the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The Korean and Chinese Foreign Ministers extended deep sympathy and condolences to the government and people of Japan. The three Ministers recognized the need to bolster cooperation in the fields of disaster management and nuclear safety based on the experience from the earthquake and tsunami.

Expressing satisfaction with development in cooperation in a wide range of areas, the three Foreign Ministers agreed to further boost trilateral partnership in a future-oriented and comprehensive manner; and work together for the success of the tripartite summit to be held this year, in view of the fact that strides in trilateral cooperation will contribute to peace and stability of not only the region but also the world.

The Foreign Ministers of the three countries also exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest, including the North Korean nuclear issue and the overall situation in Northeast Asia, regional cooperation in East Asia, and ways to combat climate change.