Korea-Japan-China Cooperation Secretariat Holds First Project, '2012 Campus Caravan'
Secretary generals from 3 countries and 18 college students from 3 countries join, for the regular diplomatic camp between students
[March 31, 2012]

 
 Students from 3 countries participating in the Campus Caravan visiting Yeungnam University pose for a photo (from front left, Shin, Bong-kil secretary general of Cooperation Secretariat, Lee, Hyo-soo president of YU)

 Yeungnam University (president Lee, Hyo-soo) held the 'Campus Caravan', a diplomatic camp for college students from 3 countries, as the first project of the 'Korea-Japan-China Cooperation Secretariat'.

 As part of this, a forum was held under the theme, 'For the Peaceful and Co-prosperity Age of Northeast Asia' at the YU Chunma Arts Center Chamber Hall on the morning of the 21st. Shin, Bong-kil, secretary general of the Cooperation Secretariat, Professor Woo, Jae-ho (School of Chinese Language and Culture), Professor Kim, Jeong-sook (Department of Korean History), Professor Kim, Yang-sun (Department of Japanese Language & Literature), and Professor Jun, In (School of Business) participated as a panel and had an open discussion on the meaning and roles of the launching of the Cooperation Secretariat.

 Lee, Hyo-soo, president of YU, who met 18 students from the 3 countries and Shin, Bong-kil, secretary general of the Cooperation Secretariat, at the 3rd floor conference room of the Main Administration Building prior to the forum, said, "I am very proud and happy that YU is where college students from the 3 countries are meeting to search for ways to construct a peaceful and cooperative relationship for Northeast Asia." He added, "At the Korea & China University Presidential Forum held at YU last year, we suggested that we expand this to the Korea-China-Japan University Presidential Forum and received positive responses from the university presidents present. I ask that you continue to show interest and support for the 3 Countries Cooperation Secretariat as well." Shin replied, "That's a good idea," while adding, "We will positively look into this as a new project for the Cooperation Secretariat."

 At this event, co-hosted by the Cooperation Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 18 college students from three countries (6 from each country) enrolled at YU (Gyeongsang-do), Kangwon University (Gangwon-do), and Woosuk University (Jeolla-do), and the secretary generals of 3 countries were present. Starting with visits to the Cooperation Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Japanese Cultural Center in Korea and Chinese Cultural Center in Korea on the 19th, the event will be held for five days visiting the university campuses. The Cooperation Secretariat is planning to make the 3 countries diplomacy camp a regular event starting this year at YU.

 On this, Joo, Sang-woo (53, School of Mechanical Engineering), Vice President for International Programs, stated, "The sum of the GDP of China, Japan and Korea, which are 2nd, 3rd, and 13th in the world, respectively, amounts to about 20% of the entire world's GDP. This is the third largest in the world following NAFTA and the EU. The sum of the population of the 3 countries also account for 25% of the global population. Thus, cooperation of the three Northeast Asian countries will be meaningful for not only the three countries, but for the entire international community." He also added, "I hope that as the starting point of exchange for the college students of the 3 countries that will open the doors to the future of Northeast Asia, cooperation of the 3 countries will become more diversified and active."

 The Korea-Japan-China Cooperation Secretariat (secretary general, Ambassador Shin, Bong-kil), is a permanent international organization that opened its doors in November last year, 12 years after the first meeting among the leaders of the 3 countries in 1999. It was established through the agreement of the three governments and all three countries have the same shares and are responsible for equal amounts for its operation budget. The secretary general position is held for two years in the order of Korea, Japan and China. Its main assignment is to systemize, organize and institutionalize 50 consultative mechanisms of the 3 governments, as well as over 100 cooperative projects. Based on the goal that it will take its first step in its journey for regional integration of Northeast Asia and to make the cornerstone for 'One Asia', it is planning to go in full motion this year. The Northeast Asian Affairs Bureau of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is also planning to pursue programs to strengthen the cooperative basis for private exchange among the 3 countries by cooperating with the Cooperation Secretariat of the 3 countries.