한국국제교류재단

The Korea Foundation, along with the Japan Foundation and the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, co-organized a series of seminars in Korea, Japan and China from Nov. 13 through Nov. 26, initializing broad exchanges among young leaders in the three countries. Entitled "Future Leaders Forum: Japan-Korea-China 2002," the event involved a number of next-generation leaders from political, governmental, academic, business and journalistic circles in the three countries.

Year of People Exchange
The leaders of these three countries agreed to designate 2002 as the "Year of People Exchange" in Korea, China, and Japan during the ASEAN+3 (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations+Japan, Korea, China) summit in 2000. They also named 2002 as a year for promoting exchange in bilateral relations. Consequently, the Korea Foundation will help people in their thirties and forties in the three countries, who are expected to play leadership roles in their countries in the future, establish personal networks, build trust, and have a better understanding of each other's society and culture. Indeed, the Foundation is committed to building a platform for better regional cooperation.

Towards a Northeast Asian Community
Participants in the Forum, due to be held annually, made a series of visits to Japan, Korea and China; engaged in debate and listened to lectures; and met with prominent figures from each of the three countries. These efforts enabled the future leaders of the three countries to hold in-depth discussions on regional and global issues, and to also iron out differences in their positions.

The main topic of the Forum was "Trilateral Cooperation Towards a Northeast Asian Community." Fifteen representatives from Japan, Korea, and China discussed a wide range of political, economic and social issues, including multilateral security, regional cooperation and the Korean peninsula.

Korean participants of the first Future Leaders Forum included Kim Woo-sang, a professor of political science at Yonsei University; Jang Sung-min, visiting scholar at the Asian Security Institute for International Studies, Duke University in U.S.A., and former National Assemblyman; Cho Hyun, deputy director-general of the Multilateral Trade Bureau, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Koo Bon-chun, senior vice president of LG Venture Investment; and Kwon Soon-taek, designated Washington correspondent for the Dong-A Ilbo.

Representing Japan were Tanimoto Tatsuya, member of the House of Representatives and the Liberal Democratic Party; Horiuchi Yusaku,associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore: Kazutoshi Aikawa, councilor at the Japanese Embassy in Malaysia; Hiroshi Kawano, assistant to the COO of Sony Corporation; and Mizuno Takaaki, deputy editor of the Asahi Shimbun's Opinion-Editorial section.

Chinese participants included Ruan Zongqin, managing director of Policy & Program Planning, Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Limited, HK; Wang Keran, division director & senior engineer of the Department of Foreign Affairs, China National Space Administration; Sun Ru, research fellow of the Division of World Politics, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR); Pan Aihua, vice president of Academy of China Electronics Corporation & director of China Association of Young Scientists & Technicians; and Ma Qingyu, professor, China National School of Administration.

Initiating Bona Fide Dialogue between Future Leaders
The year 2002 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, and also the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and China. In this vein, the first Forum bears much significance as it provided the three major Northeast Asian countries with a valuable opportunity to review their past relations and initiate bona fide dialogue between future leaders.

Exchange in a variety of fields among the three countries has been rather active of late. It may be not rash, in this vein, to suggest that efforts should be exerted to develop and maintain relationships between these three countries, relationships that have existed for thousands of years.

There is no denying, however, that the three countries are still hampered by negative factors in solidifying their relationships. Their relations have been more often than not marked by misunderstanding of each other and feuds stemming from their unhappy past. Concerned with such difficulties, it is necessary for future leaders of these countries to increase meetings in person, to deepen awareness of differences in the sense of value, and to think of people and their historical backgrounds. Broadening mutual understanding of issues of common interest and expanding the scope of personnel exchange will play an important role in forming the Asian Pacific era. The forum should help remove some remaining obstacles and further promote cooperation between the countries.

A Conduit for Peace and Prosperity in Northeast Asia
The Forum will thus serve as a good opportunity for next-generation leaders from Korea, Japan and China to swap views on a wide variety of issues in an open, honest environment, thereby helping to affirm relations between the Northeast Asian countries. "Future Leaders Forum: Japan-Korea-China 2002" is expected to serve as an effective conduit for peace in Northeast Asia, as well as for practical dialogue, which will play a significant role in this region in the years ahead. The 2002 Forum kicked off in Japan on Nov. 13, then travelled on to conferences in Seoul on the 18th and 20th, and wound up in China on Nov. 26.