The leaders of South Korea, China, and Japan signed a trilateral investment guarantee treaty while reaching agreement to make preparations for the launch of negotiations on a three-way free trade agreement within this year during their talks in Beijing on May 14.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda exchanged views on a wide range of issues such as trilateral cooperation, an FTA, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. President Lee and Chinese President Hu Jintao also took stock of the development of Korea-China relations on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and discussed issues of mutual concern. 

During the talks, the leaders assessed the prompt release of the UN Security Council Presidential Statement denouncing North Korea’s long-range rocket launch as “a serious violation of Security Council resolutions.” They exchanged views on the North Korean situation and recent developments and agreed to continue close cooperation on the prevention of North Korea’s further provocative actions and how to cope with them.

The three sides evaluated the expanded scope of trilateral collaboration, which has developed in a systematic way in various fields, while stressing the significant role the three parties take on in the stability and prosperity of the region as well as the international community.  

President Lee said at a news conference following the summit talks that the official launch of negotiations among Korea, China, and Japan within this year is very significant for their future collaboration.