Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan, China agree to work towards maintaining peace on Korean Peninsula

Also over the weekend, top diplomats of South Korea, Japan and China held talks on a wide range of matters including diplomatic, security, and economic issues.

In particular, the three sides agreed to work towards denuclearization on the Korean peninsula.

Bae Eun-ji reports.

South Korea's foreign minister Cho Tae-yul sat down for talks with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts in Tokyo, as the three countries seek to boost cooperation for regional peace amid geopolitical uncertainties.

This is the first time that they've met since November 2023.

In a press conference following the meeting that took place in Tokyo on Saturday, Cho said they have agreed that it's in the three countries' common interest to maintain security on the Korean peninsula.

He also added that they addressed the issue of illegal cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.

"I stressed that illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea must come to an end immediately and that the North should not be rewarded for its wrongdoings, in the course of ending the war in Ukraine.”

Japanese foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya noted that the the world is at a 'turning point in history,'.. and showed concerns about evolving threats from North Korea.

"Regarding the current international situation, I expressed my concerns about North Korea's nuclear and missile development, cryptocurrency thefts, and cooperation with Russia as regional threats."

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi described the current situation on the Korean peninsula as complex and sensitive while adding that all parties must "meet each other halfway" and "show goodwill."

On economic issues, he said the three countries are looking to push forward with regional economic integration including the resumption of a free trade agreement.

"The three parties are maintaining communication on restarting the negotiations on the free trade agreement, and strive to resume them as soon as possible."

The three officials also agreed to speed up efforts to hold a summit between their leaders as soon as possible, at a mutually convenient date.

Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.