FM Cho calls for stronger Korea-China-Japan cooperation for regional peace

SEOUL, 30 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has urged deeper trilateral cooperation between Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo to advance regional stability and economic prosperity, marking a diplomatic push as the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) enters a new leadership phase under its current three-year term.

The TCS, founded after a 2009 Korean proposal during the second trilateral summit, operates as a diplomatic forum focused on people-to-people exchanges, economic dialogue, and confidence-building measures. Cho emphasized that Seoul would prioritize facilitating dialogue among the three nations, urging the TCS to act as a neutral platform for communication amid strained bilateral relations.

The ministry noted that the new leadership—whose terms run until August 31, 2029—expressed gratitude for South Korea’s hosting role and committed to expanding joint initiatives, including unspecified "practical cooperation" programs.

The rotation of the TCS secretary-general follows a fixed order: South Korea, Japan, and then China. Nishioka, a Japanese diplomat, now holds the position for the first time since its inception, reflecting the organization’s institutionalized structure. While the ministry did not detail specific policy areas for collaboration, Cho’s remarks align with broader regional efforts to mitigate trade disputes, maritime tensions, and historical sensitivities that have hindered deeper integration.

For Malaysia and Southeast Asian observers, the push for trilateral cooperation carries indirect implications. As a key trade partner for all three Northeast Asian economies, Malaysia’s export-driven growth—particularly in electronics, palm oil, and manufacturing—remains vulnerable to disruptions in regional supply chains. The TCS’s focus on economic dialogue could indirectly benefit Malaysian businesses if the forum expands trade facilitation or investment corridors, though no direct mention of ASEAN was made in the discussions.

Sector-specific impacts are less immediate but could emerge if the TCS accelerates discussions on digital trade, green energy, or infrastructure connectivity—areas where Malaysia has sought deeper ties with both China and Japan. South Korea’s push for stability may also influence regional security dynamics, particularly given Seoul’s role as a mediator in disputes involving China and Japan, such as territorial conflicts in the East China Sea.

The TCS’s people-to-people programs, including academic and cultural exchanges, could further ease tensions by fostering grassroots connections, though the scale of such initiatives remains unquantified.

The outlook hinges on whether the new TCS leadership can translate Cho’s diplomatic rhetoric into tangible outcomes. The three-year term provides a window for progress, but progress will depend on whether Beijing and Tokyo reciprocate Seoul’s calls for dialogue, particularly amid ongoing disputes over semiconductor supply chains, historical grievances, and military posturing in the Taiwan Strait.

The ministry’s statement did not reference any immediate breakthroughs, but the symbolic renewal of the TCS’s leadership signals South Korea’s intent to maintain its role as a regional bridgebuilder—even as broader geopolitical headwinds persist.

Related: Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat · Cho Hyun · Seoul