TCS

The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) announced the launch of the “CJK Word of the Year 2026” voting campaign, co-hosted with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK MOFA). This annual initiative aims to promote mutual understanding and cultural affinity among the peoples of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea by selecting a symbolic word that best represents trilateral cooperation. The online voting will be open from October 20 to November 20, 2025. Citizens of the three countries can choose one out of six candidate —Mutual Benefit (互惠/互惠/호혜), Friendship (友好/友好/우호), Trust (信赖/信頼/신뢰), Understanding (理解/理解/이해), Embracement (包容/包容/포용), and Promotion·Acceleration (促进/促進/촉진)—and the selected “CJK Word of the Year 2026” will be officially announced on January 1, 2026.For more information on how to participate in the campaign, please visit the official voting website (https://cjkword.tcs-asia.org/). After the voting period concludes, selected participants will receive giveaway prizes through a lucky draw.In the previous campaign, “Future (未来/미래)” was chosen as the CJK Word of the Year 2025, reflecting people’s common wish to build a hopeful future together. The selection carried special meaning as it coincided with the “2025–2026 Year of China-Japan-Korea Cultural Exchange.” In 2024, the word “Exchange (交流/교류)” was selected, and in 2023, “Harmony (和合/화합)” was chosen.Marking its fourth edition this year, the “CJK Word of the Year” campaign has become one of TCS’s signature public projects, encouraging communication and mutual understanding among citizens of the three countries through the Chinese characters. TCS will continue to promote friendship and cooperation among the peoples of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea by fostering shared values that bridge cultures and borders.

On November 6th 2025, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivered remarks at 13th Population Policy Forum in Hangzhou, China. The Forum was hosted by the China Population and Development Research Center (CPDRC), organized by Zhejiang Urban Governance Studies Center. The governmental officials of the National Health Commission of China, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of ROK, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan as well as the experts of the research institutes of the three countries participated in the seminar. Participants shared insights on the current situation and solutions under the two themes: Delayed Marriage and Non-marriage: Phenomena, Causes, and Policy Responses” and “Prevention and Community Intervention of Dementia.” During his remarks, SG LEE mentioned that low birth rates and rapid aging pose severe common challenges to the three countries. He cited 2023 total fertility rates of 0.72, 1.0, and 1.2 respectively of ROK, China and Japan, alongside Japan having the world’s highest rate of aging, ROK the fastest-aging, and China the largest elderly population. SG Lee identified structural causes including gender inequality and unbalanced family duties as fundamental drivers of low birth rates, urging societal reforms. He stressed that enhanced trilateral cooperation through policy sharing, healthcare collaboration, and academic alliances, proposing an institutionalized consultation mechanism to jointly address the socio-economic impacts of demographic decline. He reaffirmed TCS’s commitment to facilitating policy dialogue and collaboration among the three governments and international partners to jointly address demographic challenges.▲SG LEE delivering remarks▲Group Photo

On November 4, 2025, Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang met with Mr. YOO Sangchul, Director of the China Studies Center of Joongang Ilbo, to exchange views on trilateral cooperation and media exchanges.Mr. YOO introduced the history, functions, and recent developments of the China Studies Center of Joongang Ilbo and expressed interest in the initiatives and projects of the TCS.DSG YAN highlighted the importance of exchanges in various fields among the three countries and introduced TCS’s media and public relations projects, seeking support and collaboration.Both sides agreed to enhance communication and explore future cooperation opportunities.▲DSG YAN and Mr. YOO Sangchul

On November 4, 2025, a student delegation from the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) visited the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS). Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji welcomed the students and delivered welcoming remarks on behalf of TCS.TCS offered HUFS students a comprehensive overview of the history and progress of trilateral cooperation and introduced the mission and key activities of the TCS, with focus on Department of Political Affairs’ programs. The students actively engaged in the Q&A session, showing strong interest in trilateral cooperation and the TCS.▲DSG ZUSHI giving remarks▲Group Photo