South Korea, Japan, and China convened in Tokyo on March 22, 2025, to reaffirm their commitment to fostering peace on the Korean Peninsula, amid uncertain geopolitical climates. The three nations’ top diplomats engaged in essential discussions regarding mutual cooperation, especially in light of the evolving strategies shaped by international affairs.
Following the trilateral meeting, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul emphasized, "We reaffirmed that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is a shared interest and responsibility of the three countries." This sentiment underscores a collective commitment to enhanced dialogue and cooperation, which had been revitalized following a summit in Seoul in May 2024 that ended a hiatus of over four years.
This recent gathering comes as the three nations aim to advance their trilateral cooperation amidst uncertainties tied to global economic and security concerns, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and varying U.S. trade policies. Foreign Minister Cho highlighted the urgency of confronting North Korea's aggressive posture, particularly in light of its involvement in supporting Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. He remarked, “I emphasized during our talks that North Korea must not be rewarded for its wrong behavior in the course of bringing an end to the war in Ukraine.” Cho further noted the necessity of adhering to U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea, being critical for regional security.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi advocated for improved communication and trust among the three nations, stating, “We agreed to push forward with regional economic integration, including the resumption of free trade agreement negotiations.” This ambition showcases a forward-thinking approach towards cooperation in economic matters, a sentiment echoed by Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya during the same discussions.
Iwaya shared concerns regarding North Korea’s burgeoning nuclear and missile programs, asserting that achieving the North’s denuclearization is a mutual goal for all three countries. He noted that Japan was fully committed to working together with both South Korea and China to bolster implementation of existing U.N. sanctions at the current trilateral summits.
The backdrop to these discussions includes not only North Korean challenges but also the complicated web of international trade and alliance dynamics, particularly as U.S.-China relations remain at a critical juncture. Iwaya emphasized the need for reformative dialogue, expressing, “Given the increasingly severe international situation, I believe we may truly be at a turning point in history.” His remarks reflect the urgency perceived by the trio in addressing the changing geopolitical landscape.
South Korea and Japan, both staunch allies of the United States, remain vigilant regarding China’s significant influence across the region. The three foreign ministers previously convened in November 2023 in Busan, South Korea, prior to the current meeting in Tokyo, which served as a stepping stone for deeper engagement among the three countries.
Reflecting on their historical contexts, the ministers noted that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a pivotal moment that Wang highlighted as a framework for enhancing future cooperation. He expressed, “Only by facing history honestly can we better build the future.” By acknowledging the regrets of their past conflicts, Japan, China, and South Korea aim to foster greater understanding and cooperation moving forward.
As plans take shape for another leaders’ summit by the end of 2025, bilateral meetings were scheduled to facilitate discussions on pressing issues such as the resumption of Japanese seafood exports to China. This particular topic became critical after China imposed a ban following Japan's decision to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2023.
Looking forward, the three nations have agreed to take substantial steps towards institutionalizing their trilateral cooperation framework based on common grounds that have emerged from their dialogues. As Foreign Minister Cho stated, “At this meeting, we agreed to make active efforts to further strengthen the institutionalization of trilateral cooperation and internalize its contents.” This statement bridges their dialogue to actionable outcomes that prioritize not only political stability but also the sustenance of human security and welfare in East Asia.
The commitment to deepening cooperation on public health, environmental concerns, and natural disaster response measures were also underscored as necessary avenues for engagement. In an expressed effort to bring tangible benefits and understanding to the citizens of each country, ministerial activities planned for cultural exchanges have been set for April 2025, marking a commitment to enhance people-to-people ties.
With an eye towards future dialogues and actions, Cho encapsulated the essence of the meeting, asserting that the trilateral cooperation could send, “a message of hope for the future to the world.” As the three countries endeavor to uphold regional stability and find common ground through these discussions, the international community watches closely, hopeful for positive shifts in diplomatic relations across East Asia.
