Choi Tae-won: "Let's Broaden Korea-Japan Solidarity and Cooperation to Energy, Healthcare, and Tourism" (Comprehensive)

Korea-Japan Chamber of Commerce Chairpersons Meeting
Joint Energy Procurement Amid High Dependence
Sharing Medical Systems to Address Low Birth Rates
Expanding Passport-Free Travel Like the EU
Solidifying Future Partnership Through Cooperation

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that Korea and Japan have reached a point where they should concretize future solidarity through experimental cooperation, such as joint energy procurement, sharing of medical systems, and travel without passports. The chambers of commerce of both countries adopted a joint statement emphasizing the need to expand the framework of cooperation beyond simple economic collaboration to solidarity and coordination, including strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and energy, as well as jointly addressing low birth rates and aging populations.

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is delivering the opening remarks at the 14th Korea-Japan Chamber of Commerce Chairpersons Meeting held on the 8th at the Shilla Hotel in Jeju. Ken Kobayashi, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Advisor at Mitsubishi Corporation, is giving a greeting following the remarks. On this day, the chambers of commerce of both Korea and Japan adopted a joint statement that includes strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and energy, as well as jointly addressing low birth rates and aging populations. They agreed to expand the cooperation framework beyond simple economic collaboration to solidarity and coordination. Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

In his opening remarks at the 14th Korea-Japan Chamber of Commerce Chairpersons Meeting held at the Shilla Hotel in Jeju on December 8, Chairman Choi said that, as the two countries mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, it is time for Korea and Japan to move beyond simple cooperation and jointly design the future through solidarity and coordination.

He emphasized the need for both countries to gather ideas and have the courage to experiment directly in order to find areas where they can achieve results together, presenting specific cooperation plans. Regarding joint energy procurement, he cited the high energy dependence of both countries. He explained that sharing medical systems could be a way to reduce economic and social costs in the process of responding to low birth rates and aging populations. On the topic of travel without passports, he mentioned the Schengen Agreement of the European Union as an example and suggested the possibility of considering such a measure to promote tourism.

The Korea-Japan Chamber of Commerce Chairpersons Meeting has been held alternately by the two countries. This year, it was Korea's turn, so the meeting took place in Jeju. The previous meeting was held in Osaka, Japan, and next year's meeting is scheduled to be held in Sendai, Japan. At this meeting, 22 business leaders from both countries participated. From Korea, participants included Chairman Choi Tae-won, chairpersons from regional chambers, Samsung Electronics President Park Seung-hee, and SK Group Vice Chairman Lee Hyung-hee. From Japan, participants included Ken Kobayashi, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Advisor at Mitsubishi Corporation, among others.

On this day, the chambers of commerce of both countries issued a joint statement announcing that they would strengthen cooperation in future industries such as AI, semiconductors, and energy, and jointly respond to low birth rates and aging populations. They also agreed to further expand cultural exchanges. Specifically, they shared the view that future industries such as AI, semiconductors, and energy are key areas that determine the competitiveness of both economies. Based on this, the two countries agreed to jointly establish a stable investment environment and supply chains, and to cooperate in maintaining a free and open international economic order. They also recognized that low birth rates and population decline are major challenges faced by both countries and agreed to work together to find solutions. Since the governments of both countries have already begun related discussions, practical cooperation is expected to be achieved through the sharing of policies and research experiences in the private sector as well. In addition, the business communities of Korea and Japan noted the increase in mutual visits due to the expansion of direct flights and agreed to broaden the foundation for exchanges in various fields such as the economy, tourism, and culture.

In the subsequent special discussion, experts from both countries presented a vision for advancing the framework of cooperation to the level of economic solidarity. They pointed out that, with industrial and trade structures being reorganized, Korea and Japan are facing new challenges that cannot be addressed by existing methods alone, and thus cooperation must also evolve in new directions. The experts proposed that Korea and Japan should shift from being "rule takers" that follow international norms to "rule setters" that directly design industrial and trade rules. This means that the two countries should jointly take the lead in establishing standards and norms in future industries such as AI, semiconductors, and energy. Furthermore, there was a projection that Korea and Japan could expand their presence as a joint market through economic solidarity.

In the fields of AI and semiconductors, specific directions for cooperation were proposed, such as physical AI collaboration and the establishment of a joint AI platform that leverages the strengths of both countries. In the startup sector, there was a consensus on the need to create a joint Korea-Japan ecosystem, as responding on a single-country basis has limitations. After the meeting, participants visited a special exhibition on 60 years of Korea-Japan economic cooperation, sharing various cases of collaboration such as technology exchanges and joint investments.

Yoon Chul-min, Director of International Trade at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "This year's chairpersons meeting was a meaningful occasion to look back on the achievements of the past 60 years amid an atmosphere of cooperation fostered by the resumption of shuttle diplomacy between the leaders of both countries," adding, "The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry will work closely with the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry to strengthen Korea-Japan economic solidarity."

Looking back on the restoration of shuttle diplomacy between Korea and Japan this year, the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, and the five meetings between the leaders of the two countries, Chairman Choi said, "We have once again confirmed that Korea and Japan are inseparable partners and have further strengthened the foundation of trust," adding, "To continue this atmosphere of cooperation and achieve tangible results that businesses and the public can feel, the role of the business community is even more important."