TCS

The 9th Trilateral Journalist Exchange Program (TJEP), hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), concluded with a closing ceremony in Seoul on March 8, 2025. Under the theme "Trilateral Cooperation: Towards a Shared Future," the week-long program brought together 12 journalists from China, Japan, and Korea. Participants engaged in government visits, interviews, cultural experiences, and networking activities to enhance mutual understanding and explore future cooperation. TCS Secretary General LEE Hee-sup delivered closing remarks, emphasizing the crucial role of media in strengthening trilateral cooperation. He encouraged participants to leverage their experiences to foster deeper understanding among the three countries, reaffirming TCS’s commitment to expanding exchanges and cooperation. The closing ceremony also welcomed alumni of past TJEP programs and students from the Young Ambassador Program (YAP), fostering further exchanges among journalists from the three countries. As part of the program, TJEP participants visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, where they met with the ministry’s spokesperson and attended a briefing on trilateral cooperation led by OH Jin-hee, Deputy-Director-General of the Asia and Pacific Affairs Bureau. They also toured the ministry’s regular press briefing room. Additionally, participants immersed themselves in Korean culture, enjoying a NANTA performance, experiencing Korean cuisine through a meal of bulgogi, and networking with each other. The program also featured a traditional mother-of-pearl craft experience, where participants could create their own artwork and interviewed craftsmaster LEE Young-ok, deepening their appreciation of Korean art and culture. This year’s TJEP marked the first post-pandemic edition to visit all three countries—China, Japan, and Korea. Over the time of six nights and seven days, participants traveled through Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul, gaining firsthand insight into each country’s media environment while engaging in interviews and cultural exchanges to promote mutual understanding.▲TJEP 2025 Closing Remarks by the TCS Secretary General, LEE Hee-sup▲TJEP 2025 Closing Ceremony▲Meeting with Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea▲Meeting with DDG OH, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea▲Visit to Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea▲Cultural Experience: Mother-of-Pearl Craft Making▲Interview with Craftsmaster LEE Young-ok

On March 4–6, 2025, the 9th Trilateral Journalist Exchange Program (TJEP), organized by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), was held in Tokyo, Japan. Following the program in Beijing, 12 journalists from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea participated in site visits, joint interviews, and cultural experiences, further deepening their understanding of trilateral cooperation and exploring the future direction.The delegation visited Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and paid a courtesy call on Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. IKUINA Akiko. Ms. IKUINA expressed her intention to promote future-oriented cooperation among the three countries as the chair of the Trilateral Summit and Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and expressed hope that through TJEP journalists would deepen their friendship and understanding of each other’s viewpoints and positions.They also visited the Asahi Shimbun to exchange views with Japanese media professionals on the application of artificial intelligence in journalism. At the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), they received a briefing on preparations for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo.As part of the joint interviews, the journalists interviewed Mr. MIYAKE Kunihiko, Research Director at the Canon Institute for Global Studies (CIGS), raising questions related to regional issues and prospects for cooperation. They also spoke with the director and artists of the “CJK Behaviour Project”, an experimental initiative exploring everyday human behavior (Furumai) in Tokyo, Beijing, and Seoul, learning how dancers from the three countries incorporated local behaviors into performances to promote cultural exchange.During their stay in Tokyo, the journalists experienced a traditional Urasenke Tea Ceremony, gaining insight into the philosophy and rituals of Japanese tea culture. They also visited the Disaster Prevention Hall, where they learned about earthquake preparedness and evacuation procedures.The delegation will continue their exchange program in Seoul, ROK, from March 7–8.▲Courtesy call on Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. IKUINA Akiko▲Visit to METI▲Visit to Asahi Shimbun▲Joint Interview with Mr. MIYAKE Kunihiko at the Canon Institute for Global Studies▲Joint Interview with Director and Artists of the “CJK Behaviour Project”▲Urasenke Tea Ceremony▲ Visit to Disaster Prevention Hall

On March 5, 2025, a delegation from the Korea Ski & Snowboard Association, led by Senior Vice President Cho Sang-Yeol, visited the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and met with Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup.SG LEE warmly welcomed the delegation and highlighted the successful conclusion of the 1st CJK Youth Winter Sports Exchange, held in January in Korea. He emphasized the importance of sports exchanges in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening ties among China, Japan, and Korea.During the meeting, the delegation introduced the Korea Ski & Snowboard Association and shared their vision for expanding and promoting ski culture across East Asia. Both sides expressed their commitment to enhancing cooperation and exploring opportunities for future collaboration in winter sports development and exchanges.▲Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup and Senior Vice President CHO Sang-Yeol▲Group Photo

On March 3-4, 2025, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) kicked off the 9th Trilateral Journalist Exchange Program (TJEP) in Beijing. Under the theme “Trilateral Cooperation: Towards a Shared Future”, the week-long program brings together 12 journalists from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to deepen their understanding of trilateral cooperation and explore its future direction. The delegation is led by TCS Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji.DSG ZUSHI delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the crucial role of journalists in bridging gaps and shaping public perception. He encouraged them to use this opportunity to explore meaningful stories that enhance mutual understanding, create positive and amicable atmosphere of public opinion, and contribute to a shared, prosperous future for the three countries.The delegation visited China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they met with Deputy Director-General HAN Mei of the Department of Asian Affairs and attended the regular press conference. The journalists also visited Yangwang Auto, a leading Chinese electric vehicle company, and experienced intelligent driving technology through test rides. Additionally, the journalists engaged in an immersive cultural experience, gaining a deeper understanding of China’s cultural heritage.This year’s TJEP marks the program’s return to its previous format of visiting all three countries for the first time since the pandemic. After Beijing, the journalists will continue their journey to Tokyo and Seoul, engaging in further discussions, site visits, joint interviews and cultural experiences.▲TJEP 2025 Opening Remarks by the TCS Deputy-Secretary General, ZUSHI Shuji▲Group photo : Opening Ceremony▲Visit to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs▲Visit to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs▲Visit to YANGWANG Auto