Japan, China, South Korea agree to cooperate on North Korea

Mari Yamaguchi
Tokio, Japan.- China, Japan and South Korea warmed their chilly relations Wednesday, brought together by a common goal: ending North Korea’s nuclear program.

Leaders from the three countries held their first three-way summit in more than two years, demonstrating a spirt of cooperation despite continuing differences over North Korea and other issues.

También te puede interesar: Suicide bombers strike in Afghan capital, killing seven

While short on specifics, the show of unity, especially ahead of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s expected talks with President Donald Trump, was seen as a major success.

“It was extremely significant that Japan, China and South Korea reaffirmed the importance of their cooperation ahead of a U.S.-North Korea meeting,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, praising the outcome of the summit.

The agreements came at the first summit for the Northeast Asian neighbors after a hiatus of more than two years, bringing together Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

“The three countries will take leadership to achieve peace and prosperity in the Northeast Asia,” Abe told a joint news conference in Tokyo, with Li and Moon standing on both sides, all wearing almost identical blue neckties. Abe said the three discussed how they can get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, but he didn’t provide any details.