1. The Foreign Ministry, together with the Republic of Korea-Japan-China Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), will host the Trilateral Youth Summit 2015 in Seoul from August 24 through 28.

2. “The Trilateral Youth Summit 2015” was adopted as a new trilateral cooperation project at the ROK-Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ meeting held on March 21, 2015. The Youth Summit will be hosted by the three countries on an annual and rotational basis, with the ROK as the host of its first round this year.

3. During the five-day event to be conducted in English, undergraduate and graduate students from the three countries will discuss trilateral cooperation in committee meetings on the three fields of economy, social affairs and environment, and a preparatory mock summit meeting. They will also enhance their friendship through cultural and friendship-building programs. At the main mock summit meeting on August 27, the participating students will also adopt a Joint Statement after discussions.

4. At the Trilateral Youth Summit, the participating students will also become part of delegations from other countries to deliberate on and discuss pending issues from viewpoints of those other countries. As such, the event is expected to offer them an opportunity to learn a lesson from the proverb “Put yourself in another’s shoes.”

◦ A Japanese student will play the role of the ROK President, while the roles of the Japanese and Chinese Prime Ministers will be assumed by a Chinese and a Korean student, respectively. The three will lead the mock summit meeting.

5. Since 2013, the ROK Foreign Ministry has conducted various projects as part of efforts to build trilateral youth networks. Among the projects are the “invitation to the ROK Foreign Ministry” program, the diplomatic camp, the essay contest on trilateral cooperation for college students of the three countries. Going forward, the Foreign Ministry will continue to make efforts to build trilateral youth networks and promote exchanges among the youths of the three countries.


* unofficial translation