'COVID-19 Response' First Video Conference of Korea-China-Japan Foreign Ministers... Kang Kyung-wha Emphasizes Need to Minimize Economic and Social Impact

Exchanged Opinions on Discussion Directions for G20 Special Video Summit
Expressed Support for the Complete Hosting of the Tokyo Olympics

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is speaking at a briefing for the diplomatic corps in Korea on COVID-19 held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the morning of the 20th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha presided over a video conference of foreign ministers from Korea, China, and Japan regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), attended by Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Motegi Toshimitsu, Japanese Foreign Minister.

During the 70-minute meeting, the foreign ministers of Korea, China, and Japan shared information on each country's COVID-19 spread and response status, discussed the negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on inter-country exchanges, cooperation, and the global economy, and reaffirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation for more effective containment and early resolution of COVID-19.

In particular, Minister Kang explained the efforts and achievements of the Korean government in responding to COVID-19, emphasizing that "while the neighboring three countries Korea, China, and Japan are each making their best efforts to respond to COVID-19, it is necessary to strive to minimize the contraction of regional exchanges and cooperation and the economic and social shocks caused by this situation."

In response, Minister Wang and Minister Motegi explained the quarantine situations in China and Japan respectively, mentioning the need to share experiences and strengthen cooperation with the international community, as well as to enhance cooperation among the health authorities of the three countries. The three ministers also agreed to continue closely reviewing the measures proposed during this meeting among their respective foreign ministries.

Furthermore, the foreign ministers of Korea, China, and Japan confirmed their commitment to ensuring closer cooperation among the three countries' relevant authorities by utilizing existing frameworks, including the trilateral health ministers' meetings, to respond to the current situation, and expressed support for holding the trilateral health ministers' meeting. The foreign ministers also exchanged views on the discussion direction of the G20 special video summit meeting that Saudi Arabia is planning to host next week and expressed support for the full-scale hosting of the Tokyo Olympics.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "This Korea-China-Japan foreign ministers' meeting was held amid the Ministry's recent series of telephone consultations with major countries such as the United States, Canada, and Germany to strengthen international cooperation in response to COVID-19," adding, "It particularly served as an opportunity to enhance information sharing and cooperation momentum among the three key countries in Northeast Asia."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.