After a four-year hiatus, the leaders of South Korea, China and Japan are preparing for an important trilateral summit in Seoul scheduled for May 26 and 27, the South Korean presidential office said, highlighting a key moment for regional cooperation.
The weekend before the summit will be full of activity. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is scheduled for one-on-one talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. These bilateral talks will kick off Monday's trilateral dialogue, as confirmed by a South Korean national security adviser.
After the summit, the trio of leaders plan to issue a joint statement addressing key issues covering six sectors, with a particular focus on the economy and trade. This joint effort underscores a shared commitment to promoting regional interests.
Initiated in 2008, these summits were envisioned as annual events to promote regional unity. However, a combination of misunderstandings and the global pandemic led to a hiatus, with the last meeting taking place in late 2019.
This year's summit marks a hopeful return to regular diplomatic engagements.
The upcoming meeting is particularly important as South Korea and Japan seek to mend historically strained relations. The meeting also aims to strengthen the trilateral security partnership with the United States amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington. China has expressed concern that these closer ties could exacerbate regional tensions.
This tripartite summit in Seoul represents a critical step towards strengthening diplomatic relations and addressing mutual challenges in the region. As these leaders gather, the world watches in anticipation of the results that could shape the future of East Asian cooperation.