First Korea-Japan Business Council Working-Level Meeting in 6 Years... Surprise Visit by Chey Tae-won "Concrete Corporate Cooperation"

A working-level meeting between the Korea and Japan Chambers of Commerce was held for the first time in six years.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) announced on the 11th that it held a meeting with the Japanese delegation on the afternoon of the 10th at the Sangyohui Building in Jung-gu, Seoul. The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the oldest economic organization in Japan and celebrated its 100th anniversary last year.

On the afternoon of the 10th, Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the Sang-ui Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul. (From left) Lee Hyung-hee, Chairman of the SK Supex Council Communication Committee; Woo Tae-hee, Executive Vice Chairman of KCCI; Choi Tae-won, Chairman of KCCI; Takashi Kugai, Executive Director of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Kazuo Nishitani, Manager of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

원본보기 아이콘

On that day, the working-level officials from both sides agreed to build future-oriented private economic cooperation, using the restored shuttle diplomacy between the heads of state for the first time in 12 years as a stepping stone.

Both sides discussed the necessity of joint Korea-Japan responses in line with the global supply chain restructuring in semiconductors, batteries, and other sectors, expanding private cooperation that had been built in a division-of-labor form mainly in the manufacturing sector. They also pledged to broaden the scope of cooperation to promote private exchanges, including carbon neutrality and youth employment.

There was also discussion about holding a Korea-Japan Chambers of Commerce chairpersons’ meeting. The Korea-Japan Chambers of Commerce chairpersons’ meetings were held annually from the first meeting in 2001 until 2017, alternating between the two countries. The chairpersons of the Korea and Japan Chambers of Commerce attended to engage in in-depth discussions not only on strengthening economic cooperation but also on enhancing private-level exchanges. Both sides agreed to speed up preparations so that the meetings can resume as soon as possible.

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is delivering a greeting.
[Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry]

원본보기 아이콘

At the end of the meeting, KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won made a surprise visit to meet the Japanese Chamber of Commerce working group.

Chairman Chey said, “I hope we can pursue concrete cooperation between Korean and Japanese companies in several fields.”

He added, “I also thought it would be good to connect the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo and the 2030 Busan Expo as platforms.”

The KCCI stated, “With the normalization of relations between the two countries following the Korea-Japan summit, we will do our best to ensure the successful holding of the Korea-Japan Chambers of Commerce chairpersons’ meeting, which is resuming after six years.”

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