China, Japan and South Korea vows they have restored friendly relations and cooperation, leaving behind the strains and emotional pains brought about by WWII.
In a report by CNN, the three countries opted for complete restoration of their dealings and affairs during their first trilateral meeting in three years since 2012, on Sunday. This gathering is the 6th since the first meeting in 2008.
On the agenda of this meeting of East Asia’s powers are a “touchy” discussion on Japan’s handling of post WWII issues, trade agreements and a very crucial issue in North and South Korean relations, the impending nuclear threat.
The three leaders, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye promised oneness in their views. According to South Korean President Park “trilateral cooperation has been completely restored in this meeting.”
While, the issue on neutralizing North Korea’s nuclear threat maybe seen as a South Korean imminent concern, the three countries saw it as an issue that requires a united stand and cooperation towards resolution.
One major positive result of the meeting is the proposal to an immediate resumption of the “Six Party Talks” involving China, Japan and South Korea with the U.S. Russia and North Korea. This is aimed at facilitating the “denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner” or even ending North Korea’s nuclear program. The “Six Party Talks” had its beginnings in 2003 but was not sustained. Very recently in September, North Korea has been very strong in its threat to use its nuclear weapons against its enemies, the U.S. on top of the list.
China, Japan and South Korea also agreed in the trilateral meeting that they will continue to hold their meetings regularly, Japan to be the next venue and host in 2016.
The two leaders South Korea President Park and Japan Prime Minister Abe continue to meet on Monday on other issues including WWII comfort women, which is viewed as the “biggest stumbling block” actually straining both countries relations that stalled the 2012 trilateral meeting.
