The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism PARK Bo Gyoon (MCST) participated in the 13^th South Korea-China-Japan Culture Ministers' Meeting together with his Chinese and Japanese counterparts, Hu Heping and Keiko Nagaoka on August 26 (Fri) to discuss in-depth ways to expand cultural cooperation and exchanges going forward. Based on the trust and friendship, the three countries have announced joint declaration. In consideration of the COVID-19, the trilateral conference was held via online platform, hosted by China.

Since the trilateral meeting was launched in 2007, the three countries have adopted a joint declaration highlighting the fundamental principles of cultural co-prosperity and cooperation and reaffirming their commitments to action over the past 12 conferences. The annual meeting has also led to the development and implementation of concrete cultural exchange programs.

This year, the three sides announced the Qufu Declaration, which reaffirms the importance of the value and role of culture, particularly at this time as the nations strive to return to normal life in the post-COVID-19 era, and puts forth the vision of building a stronger foundation for friendship, trust, and solidarity in East Asia through cultural engagement.

The culture ministers of South Korea, China, and Japan agreed to revitalize exchange programs for youth, the protagonists of the future in terms of dialogue and cooperation, and to enhance cooperation for the digital development of the culture industry. In addition, the three ministers decided to promote the convergence of the culture and tourism sectors as well as art and cultural exchange programs on the occasion of international sporting events. The three sides also agreed to advance the practical cooperative efforts between national cultural institutions such as museums and art galleries, while also supporting activities for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. In celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the establishment of the East Asia Culture City program, three culture ministers jointly decided to strengthen the network between the culture cities of each country and to continue to promote the charm and value of the region’s art and culture by holding the East Asia Culture City Forum.

In particular, Minister PARK reiterated in his keynote speech, “As connecting people through culture is the most attractive way to reduce the distance of mind, it is important to increase empathy among the youth of the three countries, who will lead regional dialogue and cooperation in the future.” He proposed a concrete measure to provide a range of platforms for cultural engagement for youth such as exhibitions and performances. In addition, he suggested that the three countries with competitiveness in the global content market take initiative in engaging in futuristic cultural industries such as metaverse and immersive content, while also asking for support for the successful hosting of the Trilateral Cultural Content Industry Forum, which will be held on Jeju Island in October this year.

At the same time, MCST requested active support and cooperation from China and Japan in its bid for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the 2030 Busan World Expo. Minister PARK emphasized, “If South Korea succeeds in its bid for the AFC Asian Cup, it will serve as an opportunity to broaden the horizons of the tourism industry in Northeast Asia through bringing sports and culture together.” He added, “If the World Expo is held in Busan in 2030, following the 2010 Expo in Shanghai and the 2025 Expo in Osaka, the three countries will be able to take the lead in tackling global challenges such as climate change and resolving the gap in advanced technologies.”

Following the meeting, the three ministers declared Jeonju in South Korea, Chengdu and Meizhou in China, and Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan as the 2023 East Asia Culture Cities. Since 2014, the three countries have selected a city representing the cultural traditions from each country as an East Asian Culture City every year, thereby promoting a variety of cultural exchanges. Jeonju City Mayor WOO Beom Gi attended the meeting as the representative of South Korea's East Asia Culture City and stated that he expected the four culture cities to serve as pillars in connecting the people of the three countries through culture.

Minister PARK stated, “Despite the difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the three countries have communicated with each other and reaffirmed our friendship through the language of culture even in an online format.” He further stressed, “We have shared our mutual understanding on the value and importance of culture in our efforts to return to normal everyday life and thus will continue to engage in exchange and cooperative efforts together. Such an endeavor will contribute to creating attractive cultural contents of Northeast Asia and help each country evolve into a global cultural powerhouse, which will bring real co-prosperity.”