▲ Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (2nd from R) poses with Lee Hee-sup (2nd from L), secretary-general of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), and TCS deputy secretary generals -- Shuji Zushi (L) and Yan Liang -- during their meeting at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Sept. 3, 2025, in this photo provided by Cho's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korea-Japan-China-cooperation

FM Cho calls on trilateral secretariat to play 'bridging role' for S. Korea-Japan-China ties

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Wednesday called on the trilateral secretariat promoting cooperation among South Korea, Japan and China to play a "bridging role" in advancing the three-way relationship in a meeting with its leadership.

Cho made the call in a meeting with Lee Hee-sup, secretary-general of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), and deputy chief secretaries -- Shuji Zushi and Yan Liang -- Cho's office said in a media release.

The Seoul-headquartered TCS was established in 2011 to promote relations and bolster exchanges between the three Asian neighbors.

"Minister Cho noted that the TCS has been carrying out various practical projects that directly benefit the peoples of the three countries, assessing that its contributions have helped maintain the momentum of trilateral cooperation," the ministry said in a release.

"He called on the TCS to continue serving as a bridge for trilateral cooperation, particularly in areas such as next-generation exchanges," the ministry said.

Cho, in particular, stressed the importance of promoting people-to-people exchanges among the younger generations, pledging to provide all support needed to ensure the TCS' smooth operations going forward.

The secretariat is also charged with helping organize trilateral summits among the leaders.

The ninth three-way summit took place in Seoul in May 2024. Japan is the host country for this year's summit, with the date yet to be announced.

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