Starting from left: President Lee Myung-bak (Republic of Korea), Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (Japan) and Premier Wen Jiabao (China)

The three leaders of Korea, Japan and China agreed to continue to discuss the sinking of the Korean naval ship Cheonan incident. This was decided at the third Trilateral Summit Meeting held on Korea’s Jeju-do Island  for two days from May 29 to 30.

The President said at the press conference Sunday (May 30) that both the Chinese and Japanese leaders valued the results of the joint investigation and decided to engage in measured discussion on the matter in order to handle the matter appropriately. “As China and Japan are both responsible members of the global community I expect very wise cooperation in handling the matter,” said Lee.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao for his part pointed out the most important thing is to resolve the repercussions and the tensions that resulted from the sinking of the Cheonan. “We must refrain from any kind of conflict,” he said. “We must handle things through appropriate dialogue and coordination that will lead to peace and stability in the region and for the sake of all our present and future interests.”

“We must strengthen dialogue based on the interest of our three nations, show consideration for each respective country, cope with sensitive matters appropriately and enhance political confidence,” Wen said. “We have to put all our efforts together to strengthen peace and stability in Northeast Asia. Without this premise there’s no point in discussing any kind of development in the region.”

“All three countries have come to understand the seriousness of the Cheonan ship incident in relation to peace and stability in Northeast Asia,” Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama said. “The summit meeting has confirmed that we three countries will continue to coordinate closely regarding this issue.”

“We have also shared views that the denuclearized Korean peninsula will greatly contribute to prosperity in the region,” the President said. “To attain that goal we decided to make joint efforts to realize the Sept. 19 Joint Declaration through the process of the Six Pay Talks.”

The three leaders presented a Vision 2020 that stipulated future cooperation and exchange among the three countries for the next 10 years. For example, a Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat will be established in Korea to help with the smooth coordination between the countries.

The three leaders further agreed to endeavor to complete a joint study for a free trade agreement among China, Japan and Korea by 2012 and also work to realize an investment treaty within the next few months.