Yonhap News to hold forum on economic cooperation between S. Korea, Japan

SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Yonhap) -- Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's leading newswire, said Tuesday it will host a forum next month to explore ways to boost economic ties between South Korea and Japan amid growing global uncertainties.

Under the theme of "A fragmenting global economy, connecting Korean and Japanese markets," the 2026 Future Economy Forum will take place in Seoul on Nov. 3, bringing together business leaders, policymakers and academics from both countries to discuss avenues for closer cooperation and shared prosperity, according to Yonhap.

Yonhap President and CEO Hwang Dae-il will deliver opening remarks, while Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), will give congratulatory remarks. Chey has long advocated the creation of a Korea-Japan economic community.

Speakers will also include Hiroaki Ishiguro, head of the global strategy division at Lotte Holdings Co.; Lee Sang-yup, chief technology officer of LG Uplus Corp.; and former South Korean Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan, who heads the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

The forum will feature three sessions examining how Seoul and Tokyo can move beyond competition to become strategic partners, the potential for a bilateral economic community and ways to jointly address challenges posed by rapidly aging populations.

The event comes as geopolitical tensions, including an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, contribute to the fragmentation of global trade and supply chains.

The event is supported by Japan's Kyodo News, South Korea's industry ministry and the KCCI.

Preregistration for the forum is open from Oct. 13-28, Yonhap said.

Yonhap launched the Future Economy Forum in 2024, focusing on the state and challenges of South Korea's advanced industries, particularly semiconductors. Last year's forum examined economic cooperation between South Korea and Africa, highlighting opportunities for partnerships with the continent.

graceoh@yna.co.kr
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