{"id":2205254,"date":"2024-05-27T08:00:15","date_gmt":"2024-05-26T23:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2205254"},"modified":"2024-05-26T23:02:37","modified_gmt":"2024-05-26T14:02:37","slug":"trilateral-summit-in-northeast-asia-faces-uphill-battle-amid-rising-tensions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/05\/trilateral-summit-in-northeast-asia-faces-uphill-battle-amid-rising-tensions\/","title":{"rendered":"Trilateral summit in Northeast Asia faces uphill battle amid rising tensions"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol held on Sunday separate bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ahead of the ROK-Japan-China trilateral summit. Yoon and Li <\/span>discussed<\/span><\/a> strengthening bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including economic and security fields, while emphasizing the importance of stable supply chain management. Yoon and Kishida <\/span>agreed<\/span><\/a> to enhance economic ties and youth exchanges, focusing on energy, technology and cultural cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n Later, Yoon hosted a <\/span>welcome dinner<\/span><\/a> for the summit participants, featuring performances and exhibitions showcasing cultural exchanges among the three countries. Attendees included senior officials from South Korea, Japan and China, who discussed the significance of continued diplomatic engagement and cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/b><\/p>\n The trilateral summit, which convenes for the first time in more than four years, faces significant challenges in restoring cooperative dialogue in Northeast Asia. Shifting geopolitical dynamics, especially South Korea\u2019s strengthened ties with the U.S. and Japan, have strained Seoul\u2019s relations with Beijing, evidenced by Xi Jinping\u2019s absence. While this summit aims to repair these strained ties, it remains to be seen how successful it will be.<\/span><\/p>\n The three countries have entrenched political positions that are challenging to overcome. Japan and China continue to have competing claims over the <\/span>Senkaku islands<\/span><\/a>. Concurrently, the two countries continue to dispute China\u2019s <\/span>import ban<\/span><\/a> on Japanese seafood products following Tokyo\u2019s decision to release treated contaminated water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea.<\/span><\/p>\n Other issues, such as China\u2019s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and the intensifying trade conflict between the U.S. and China, will make it challenging for Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing to foster deeper trust and cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n