Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and his Chinese and Japanese counterparts Yang Jeichi and Katsuya Okada held the 3rd Korea-China-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Shanghai on September 28.

In the meeting, the three Foreign Ministers exchanged in-depth views on issues of common interest, including preparations for the Korea-China-Japan Summit this year; ways to bolster trilateral cooperation; the North Korean nuclear issue and overall situation in Northeast Asia; and major regional and international issues.

With regard to ways to bolster trilateral cooperation, the three Foreign Ministers agreed to hold the 2nd Korea-China-Japan Summit in Beijing on October 10 and to continue consultations on its details through diplomatic channels.

They also reviewed outcomes of cooperation since 1999 as this year marks the 10th anniversary of trilateral cooperation and discussed ways to further enhance a comprehensive partnership
in a future-oriented manner and agreed to hold the 4th Korea-China-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Korea next year.

With respect to regional and international issues, the three Foreign Ministers shared the view that the prompt resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue through the Six-party Talks is vital for peace and stability in Northeast Asia and concurred on further strengthening trilateral cooperation in this regard.

The three Foreign Ministers recognized the urgent need for joint efforts to overcome the international financial crisis and realize an economic recovery and agreed to work more closely together for the success of next year’s G20 Summit to be held in Korea.

They also exchanged candid, in-depth views on countering climate change and green growth, regional cooperation in East Asia, UN reforms, disarmament and non-proliferation.

The latest trilateral meeting was the third of its kind after the inaugural meeting on Jeju Island in June, 2007, and the second in Tokyo, Japan, in June, 2008. Korea-China-Japan foreign ministerial meetings are expected to contribute to boosting mutual understanding and trust among the three countries.