S. Korea-Japan trade council calls for stronger bilateral cooperation in energy, supply chains (original) (raw)

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- A Korea-Japan trade council called for stronger bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including energy and supply chains, to navigate a turning point in the bilateral and global trade order, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) said Monday.

The annual Korea-Japan trade council for new industry, co-organized by KITA, the Korea-Japan Economic Association and others, held its 26th meeting in Tokyo to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and share trade and economic issues, according to KITA.

Some 80 officials from government, business and academia attended the meeting under the theme "Korea and Japan Moving Forward Together: NEXT STEP."

"Korea-Japan economic cooperation is at a critical turning point," KITA Vice Chairman Lee In-ho, who co-chairs the council, said in his opening remarks.

"Cooperation must be strengthened in areas closely tied to people's daily lives, such as energy, supply chains and connectivity infrastructure, so that Korea-Japan cooperation can develop into a more multidimensional structure," he added.

Co-Chairman Ukata Aso said South Korea and Japan are facing common challenges in the fields of energy and supply chains, stressing the importance of cooperation based on stable South Korea-Japan relations and efforts to translate them into concrete action.

The key points discussed during the meeting are scheduled to be presented as major agenda items at the annual Korea-Japan Business Council to be held in Tokyo in May, KITA said.

This file photo taken May 27, 2025, shows participants posing for a photo at the opening ceremony for the 57th Korea-Japan Business Council in Seoul. (Yonhap)

brk@yna.co.kr
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