ㅇ Press : Munhwa Daily, [Opinion] Commentary
ㅇ Date of Issue: August 26th, 2016

Tripartite Cooperation between Korea-Japan-China Takes Shape

Yun Byung-se, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea

Korea, Japan and China all recorded impressive athletic achievements at the Rio 2016 Olympics which closed on the 21st of this month. The three countries took home a grand total of 47 gold medals, more than the top ranked United States. The talent, passion, and invincible spirit of perseverance of the young athletes from the three countries sent a loud message of hope.

It is quite clear that Korea, Japan and China have infinite potential. Outside the sporting arena, when the population, gross domestic product (GDP) and trade volume of the three countries are added together, they make up nearly 20% of the world’s people, production, and trade. Northeast Asia has been in the global spotlight not just because of its increasing hard power but also due to its soft power in the fields of education and information technology, gaining attention as the next driving force for the development of the global community currently being submerged into the quicksand of low growth.

The transformation of such infinite potential into reality depends on diplomacy. The role of diplomacy in Northeast Asia is particularly important. In addition to traditional preexisting threats involving nuclear, missile and territorial disputes, the region is no longer safe from trans-border threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, refugee crises and disease epidemics. In order to stand firm in the face of such pressures, the three countries need to put their heads together and work hand in hand. In particular, the region must look to resolve the long-standing challenge posed by the “Asian Paradox” marked by the disconnect between the region’s economic inter-dependency and the lack of trust in the political arena and in terms of national security. Still, if Korea, Japan and China collaborate, we can expect a virtuous circle that enhances and reaffirms the relationship between the three countries. This is the reason why the foreign ministers of Korea, Japan and China came together for a tripartite meeting on the 24th of this month.

The Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting hosted by Japan in Tokyo has several key implications.

To begin with, trilateral cooperation among the three nations has become institutionalized. Last year in Seoul, Korea initiated a tripartite Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Leaders’ Summit for the first time in three and a half years. The tripartite system of cooperation that required arduous restoration was made permanent through the recent meeting. With the success of this meeting, it appears likely that a tripartite summit will be held within the year.

Second, the trilateral partnership has strengthened in response to North Korean nuclear and missile issues. North Korea’s launch of another submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on the morning of the 24th of this month further highlighted the urgency and severity of North Korean nuclear and missile threats that are increasing in severity by the day, despite repeated warnings from the international community. The Chinese Foreign Minister, in a rare act of calling out the regime, stated that China is opposed to North Korea’s nuclear and missile development process. This was a message well-received in the lead up to major multilateral summits next week such as the G-20 Summit and East Asia Summit.

Third, common good can be created at the regional level. Korea, Japan and China agreed to reinforce and deepen cooperation in areas where the people of all three countries may have common interests, such as in managing shared challenges such as environmental issues including pollution, disease epidemics and disaster relief; resolving social issues involving aging, low birth rates and youth unemployment; and further generating new drivers of growth based on innovation and creativity.

As such, tripartite cooperation between Korea, Japan and China is a useful mechanism that transcends economic inter-dependency as it provides a crucial stepping stone for building trust within the region, serves as a lubricant for cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the UN and further contributes to improving trilateral relations. As a statement of hope to the global village beyond the region, there are growing expectations from the international community for enhanced trilateral cooperation in Northeast Asia.

At a time where numerous challenges simultaneously emerge at both the regional and global levels, if Korea, Japan and China cooperate in unison, we will be able to send a message of hope to the entire world that mirrors the message sent by athletes of the three countries at the end of games in Rio. I believe this is the mission of the tripartite cooperation system involving Korea, Japan and China as well as an obligation owed to future generations.