WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a significant step toward enhancing regional economic security and cooperation, South Korea, the United States, and Japan are set to hold their inaugural industry ministerial meeting in Washington this week. This meeting, announced by Seoul's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Sunday, will bring together top industry leaders from the three nations to discuss strategic collaborations on supply chains and other economic issues.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Industry and Energy, South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Japanese Trade Minister Ken Saito will spearhead the discussions. This first-of-its-kind meeting is a direct outcome of the agreement reached during the trilateral summit at Camp David in Maryland last August, where leaders from the three countries, including President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, committed to annual consultations on commerce and industry.
The agenda for Wednesday’s meeting includes enhancing economic security in the region and boosting industrial cooperation. Additionally, a new trilateral business meeting platform will be launched, led by economic organizations from the three nations, aimed at fostering closer collaboration among their private sectors.
Furthermore, during his visit to the U.S., Minister Ahn Duk-geun is scheduled to have bilateral discussions with Secretary Raimondo and other senior U.S. officials. These talks will focus on deepening cooperation on supply chains for critical industry materials and advanced industries, such as semiconductors and biotechnology.