Leaders of South Korea, China, and Japan to Meet for First Time Since 2019
SEOUL, South Korea – Leaders of South Korea, China, and Japan are set to gather in Seoul next week for their first trilateral summit since 2019, as announced by South Korea’s presidential office on Thursday.
The summit will bring together South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Scheduled for Monday in Seoul, the meeting marks a significant step in reestablishing high-level dialogue among the three nations. Bilateral talks among the leaders will also occur on Sunday, according to the South Korean presidential office.
A Resumption of Trilateral Engagement
Since their inaugural stand-alone summit in 2008, the three countries aimed to hold annual meetings to discuss regional cooperation and common interests. However, the tradition was interrupted after their last summit in December 2019 in China, due to a combination of historical disputes and strategic tensions.
Challenges to Cooperation
Efforts to foster cooperation among South Korea, China, and Japan have often been complicated by historical grievances, particularly those related to Japan’s wartime actions, and the broader geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States. These issues have periodically stalled diplomatic engagements and hindered collaborative initiatives.
The upcoming summit represents a critical opportunity for the three nations to address mutual concerns, reinforce diplomatic ties, and enhance regional stability. The world will be watching to see if this meeting can pave the way for more consistent and productive trilateral cooperation in the future.
