Yonhap forum-Korea-Japan ties

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's key newswire, was set to host a forum Tuesday to explore ways to strengthen economic cooperation between South Korea and Japan amid the growing fragmentation of global markets.

Under the theme "A fragmenting global economy, connecting South Korea and Japan through one market," the Yonhap Future Economic Forum will take place in Seoul, bringing together around 500 participants from the two countries, including political, business and academic leaders, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The forum will explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation amid growing protectionism, Sino-U.S. rivalry and supply chain disruptions, it noted.

The annual event will open with remarks by Yonhap President and CEO Hwang Dae-il, while Seong Ghi-hong, senior presidential secretary for public communication, will read a congratulatory message from President Lee Jae Myung.

Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, will also deliver congratulatory remarks, emphasizing the need for what he has long advocated as an economic community between the two countries, it said.

A number of political and business figures from both countries will also deliver congratulatory remarks.

They include Rep. Lee Jae-jung, chair of the National Assembly's culture, sports and tourism committee; Rep. Joo Ho-young of the main opposition People Power Party, who heads the Korea-Japan Parliamentary Union; Ryota Takeda, chairman of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union; Koichi Mizushima, Japanese ambassador to South Korea; and Koo Ja-yeol, chairman of the Korea-Japan Economic Association.

Other key participants will include Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong, Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, Woori Financial Group Chairman Yim Jong-yong and NH NongHyup Financial Group Chairman Lee Chan-woo, as well as senior officials from major economic organizations, including the Korea International Trade Association, and a delegation from Japan's Kyodo News, a sponsor of the forum.

The forum will feature three sessions.

The first session, titled "From rivals to partners: South Korea and Japan amid U.S.-China hegemony," will include presentations by Yoon Young-kwan, a former South Korean foreign minister and chairman of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, on the need for closer strategic ties between the two countries. Lee Sang-yup, chief technology officer (CTO) of South Korean mobile carrier LG Uplus, will discuss opportunities for bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies.

The second session, focusing on a South Korea-Japan economic community, will feature Lee Se-young of Wrtn Technologies and Hiroaki Ishiguro of Lotte Holdings, who will share their experiences in expanding into Japan and promoting cooperation in Asian markets. Japan expert Yang Gi-ho will discuss the future of bilateral relations and strategic solidarity.

In the final session, Japan's Seigakuin University professor Ikumi Haruki will address the two countries' shared challenges of population aging, while renowned South Korean popera tenor Lim Hyung-joo will share his decadeslong experience in Japan and discuss new opportunities for cultural and content industry cooperation, Yonhap said.

The forum comes amid renewed efforts by South Korea and Japan to expand economic cooperation as the two neighbors seek to strengthen ties through regular high-level exchanges and closer coordination on shared challenges.

In March, the two countries signed a supply chain partnership arrangement and agreed to establish a regular policy dialogue on trade, economic security and supply chain issues.

At a summit in May, President Lee and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation on supply chains, as well as energy security, including through closer cooperation on critical minerals, crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

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