TC Activities Trilateral Youth Summit 2024 Kicks Off with Opening Ceremony in Seoul
2024.08.05
Seoul, August 5, 2024 — The Trilateral Youth Summit (TYS) 2024 commenced with an opening ceremony at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, marking the beginning of a week-long event celebrating 25 years of trilateral cooperation among China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The summit is co-hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, with support from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Japan and China.
This year’s TYS holds special significance as it follows the recently resumed 9th Trilateral Summit, held on May 27, 2024, in Seoul. The theme for TYS2024, “Celebrating 25 Years of Trilateral Cooperation: Shaping a Mutually Beneficial Future for the People of the Three Countries,” reflects the leaders' vision from the 9th Trilateral Summit, emphasizing the importance of youth exchanges for future trilateral cooperation.
The opening ceremony featured notable dignitaries from the three countries, including Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji of the TCS, Director KIM Sura of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROK, Minister YAMAMOTO Mondo of the Japanese Embassy in Korea, Counselor NIU Liqiang of the Chinese Embassy in Korea, and Director HWANG Jae-ho of the Institute of Global Strategy and Cooperation (IGSC). Their presence underscored the significance of the event and the collaborative spirit particularly among the youth of the three countries.
In the opening remarks, DSG ZUSHI Shuji emphasized that the TYS is a crucial platform for fostering cooperation among future leaders from the three countries and encouraged participants to embrace this unique opportunity to connect with peers, share perspectives, and remain open to diverse viewpoints. Director KIM Sura emphasized that participating in each other’s delegations at the TYS will form a valuable foundation for mutual understanding and trust among the three countries by practicing '역지사지(易地思之)'—putting oneself in others' shoes. Minister YAMAOTO Mondo looked forward to seeing young people use their imagination and engage in fruitful discussions, noting that a key purpose of this program is to enjoy the summit process with fellow participants. Counselor NIU Liqiang highlighted that the future of trilateral cooperation lies in the hands of the youth, stressing the importance of fostering friendships, understanding, and collaboration to ensure stable and prosperous trilateral relations. Director HWANG Jae-ho emphasized that the TYS comes at a critical time to address agendas affecting the lives and welfare of the people in the three countries, and looked forward to fresh, humanistic suggestions from their future leaders.
During the five-day program, participants will explore key areas from the 9th Trilateral Summit, such as Sustainable Development, Economic Cooperation, Digital Transformation and Public Health, and People-to-People Exchange, through simulations of diplomatic negotiations and policy-making. The highlight will be the Model Trilateral Summit on August 9, where student delegations will present their discussions, culminating in the adoption of the Joint Statement and the presentation of the Best Delegation Award.
The TYS 2024 is expected to play a crucial role in revitalizing trilateral cooperation and sustaining the momentum from the Trilateral Summit held in May after a four-year, five-month hiatus. It provides a platform for the younger generation of China, Japan, and the ROK to build mutual understanding, promote communication, and exchange ideas, laying the groundwork for future cooperation.
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▲Opening Remarks by ZUSHI Shuji, Deputy Secretary-General, Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat
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▲Welcoming Remarks by KIM Sura, Director of Asian and Pacific Regional Cooperation Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea
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▲Congratulatory Remarks by YAMAMOTO Mondo, Minister for Political Affairs, Embassy of Japan in Korea
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▲Congratulatory Remarks by NIU Liqiang, Counselor, Political Section, Chinese Embassy in the ROK
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▲Congratulatory Remarks by HWANG Jaeho, Director of the Institute of Global Strategy and Cooperation
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▲Group Photo