Others TCS Farewell and Welcome Reception was held in Seoul, ROK 2013.08.28

The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (the “TCS”) hosted the Farewell and Welcome Reception at Lotte Hotel in Seoul, ROK, on August 28, 2013.

 

The Reception was held to bid farewell to Secretary-General, Ambassador SHIN Bong-kil and Deputy Secretaries-General, Ms. MATSUKAWA Rui and Ms. MAO Ning, as well as to welcome new Secretary-General, Ambassador IWATANI Shigeo and new Deputy Secretaries-General, Mr. CHEN Feng and Mr. LEE Jong-heon. In total, more than 200 participants including governmental officials, scholars, business leaders and journalists joined in this memorable ceremony.


In the Reception, Amb. Shin delivered his farewell speech, followed by remarks of Ms. Matsukawa and Ms. Mao. He expressed his sincere gratitude to participants for their warm supports, and observed that “even in the face of increasing difficulties in bilateral ties among the three countries, the TCS took off on a solid footing, and in fact it is fair to say that our very raison d'être has been reaffirmed, not in spite of, but because of the challenges we have faced since our launch.”


After that, Amb. Iwatani made inaugural remarks, expressing his firm determination to make best efforts with new members to further develop the TCS, and kindly asked participants for their close attention and continuous supports for the TCS.


Further, to appreciate their extraordinary dedication and devotion to the TCS since its establishment, ROK Foreign Minister’s Plaque of Appreciation was presented to the outgoing board members by Mr. JOE Dae-sik, Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROK.


The TCS is going to enter the second phase of its stage with the new board members on September 1, 2013.  


 Secretary-General Amb. Shin Bong-kil Delivering Remarks

 

New Secretary-General Amb. Iwatani Shigeo Delivering Remarks


Amb. Shin Bong-kil and Amb. Iwatani Shigeo


(From left: DSG Ms. Mao Ning; DSG Ms. Matsukawa Rui; SG Amb. Shin-Bong-kil; new SG Amb. Iwatani Shigeo; new DSG Mr. CHEN Feng; and new DSG Mr. LEE Jong-heon)


Group Photo with All the TCS Staff