Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Dukgeun (center) on March 30 poses for photos with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoji Muto (left) and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao at the 13th meeting of economic and trade ministers of the three countries at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)

By Charles Audouin

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Dukgeun has agreed with his counterparts from Japan and China to expand trilateral cooperation in economy and trade.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in Seoul on March 30 said the 13th trilateral talks on economy and trade among the three countries was held that day at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul's Jung-gu District.

Attending the meeting was Minister Ahn, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoji Muto, and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao.

This was the first such gathering since December 2019, when such talks were held in Beijing.

At the meeting in Seoul, the three ministers pledged to continue the expansion of trilateral cooperation in economy and trade, saying in a joint media statement, "We keep discussions for speeding up negotiations for a Trilateral FTA (free trade agreement) with a view to realizing a free, fair, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial FTA with its own value."

They also agreed to strengthen communication to improve the business environment, secure supply chains and export controls, and team up in carbon-neutral energy technologies and digital transformation. They also backed regional dialogue such as the 23rd Pan-Yellow Sea Rim Economy and Technology Exchange Conference slated for November in Daejeon.

The statement added, "Strengthening cooperation within multilateral frameworks that include all three countries, we expressed support for Korea's upcoming hosting of the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Week (AELW) and China for 2026, as well as Japan's hosting of Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai."

 caudouin@korea.kr