TCS

On December 2, 2025, Deputy Commissioner LIM Sook-young of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) visited the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and met with TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup to discuss ways to enhance trilateral cooperation among Korea, China, and Japan in responding to the climate crisis and communicable diseases. The meeting followed SG LEE’s participation in the “Global Symposium & Roundtable on Climate Change and Health,” hosted by KDCA in November last year.Deputy Commissioner LIM highlighted that the health impacts of climate change, including the rise of climate-related infectious diseases, pose transboundary challenges requiring coordinated, multinational responses. She underscored the importance of establishing a joint response mechanism among the three countries. Echoing this, SG LEE emphasized the importance of sustainable development including through climate change response and public health, both of which are among the six priority cooperation areas endorsed at the 9th Trilateral Summit in May last year. He also reaffirmed TCS’ commitment to strengthening collaboration with KDCA in this field.Building on the outcomes of the 16th Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting and the 9th Trilateral Summit, both sides agreed to further advance cooperation by leveraging the Korea–Japan–China Forum for Communicable Disease Control and Prevent along with the Joint Symposium scheduled to be held in Korea in 2026 as key opportunities to deepen trilateral collaboration.▲SG Lee and Deputy Commissioner Lim▲Group Photo

The 9th Global Symposium on Low Fertility and Ageing took place on December 2–3, 2025, at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The symposium was co-hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Data and Statistics of the Republic of Korea, with support from the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS). Distinguished participants included Dr. Aleksandar Sasha Bodiroza, Regional Director of UNFPA Asia and the Pacific; Yang Soon Pil, Director General of the Ministry of Data and Statistics; and Dr. Asa Torkelsson, Chief of the UNFPA Seoul Representation Office. TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup also attended the event and delivered congratulatory remarks.In his address, SG LEE emphasized that low fertility and rapid population ageing have become pressing demographic challenges worldwide, particularly for China, Japan, and Korea—the world’s most rapidly ageing region. He noted that these trends will significantly influence economic potential, industrial structures, and welfare systems, underscoring the importance of policy dialogue and concerted action. Referencing recent discussions at the Trilateral Summit and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, he highlighted the growing regional consensus on the need for cooperation in areas such as healthcare systems, long-term care, workforce training, and demographic research. SG LEE reaffirmed TCS’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with UNFPA, UNDP, and other institutions to advance joint solutions based on shared knowledge and practical collaboration.This year’s symposium focused on the theme “Rethinking old-age dependency and the engagement of older persons,” bringing together global experts to explore innovative approaches to ageing societies and the active participation of older generations. TCS has continued its support for the symposium since 2023, contributing to regional efforts to promote sustainable development and coordinated policy responses to demographic change.▲SG LEE delivering congratulatory remarks▲Group Photo

On November 17-21, 2025, the 23rd Yellow Sea Rim Economic and Technological Exchange Conference was held in Daejeon, Korea. TCS Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji headed the TCS delegation and delivered a presentation at the plenary meeting of the Conference. In his presentation, DSG ZUSHI introduced the work of the TCS, highlighting flagship projects in economic and trade fields as well as new initiatives in IPR and STEM. He affirmed that TCS will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to further strengthen practical collaboration among the three countries for deeper economic ties. During the Conference, TCS also operated a promotional desk to distribute Trilateral Economic Report (TER) 2025, one of its flagship annual publications. The Yellow Sea Rim Economic and Technological Exchange Conference is a track 1.5 local cooperation mechanism launched in 2001 to promote practical cooperation among governments and enterprises of the three countries. The 24th Conference is scheduled to be held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China, in 2026.▲DSG ZUSHI delivering a presentation at the plenary meeting▲TCS promotional desk at the conference

On November 20, 2025, Secretary-General of the TCS, LEE Hee-sup, delivered remarks at the Opening Ceremony of Esports Championships Asia (ECA) 2025 in Can Tho, Vietnam, hosted by the Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sports Association. The Championship brought together 100 players from seven countries, including China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.LEE Hee-sup underscored esports as a vital bridge connecting young people across Asia, fostering a positive, value-driven culture, and creating new opportunities for youth exchange. He noted the historical development of Trilateral Cooperation under the ASEAN Plus Three framework and highlighted TCS’s ongoing efforts to expand its “Trilateral Plus X” initiatives, promoting broader collaboration with ASEAN countries. LEE expressed confidence that ECA 2025 would further strengthen regional youth engagement, cultural exchange, and the digital culture industry.The Esports Championships Asia, originally launched as the Esports Championships East Asia under the Trilateral Cultural Content Industry Forum, promotes cooperation in the esports industry and youth cultural exchange. The 2025 Championship marked the first time the event was held in an ASEAN country. The next Championship is scheduled to take place in Jinju, Korea, in 2026.▲Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivers remarks▲Participating countries introduction▲Secretary-General LEE exchanges views with the Can Tho City People’s Committee Deputy Chairman Nguyen Van Khoi (far right) and Vietnam Recreational & Electronic Sports Association President Hung Do Viet (middle)▲Secretary-General LEE exchanges views with Jinju City Mayor CHO Kyu-il (far right) and KeSPA President KIM Young-man (second from right)▲Secretary-General LEE receives the team uniform from the China delegation led by China Culture & Entertainment Industry Association Secretary-General KONG Min (second from right)▲The match in progress▲Awards ceremony in progress