Business leaders from Korea and Japan agreed that, marking the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations, the two countries should build a closer "economic alliance" to jointly respond to future industrial transitions and the challenges of low birthrates and aging populations.
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry held the 14th Korea-Japan chambers of commerce chairpersons' meeting with the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the 8th at the Shilla Jeju.
From Korea, Chey Tae-won, KORCHAM chair, and Park Seung-hee, Samsung Electronics president who also serves as Seoul Chamber vice chair, Lee Hyung-hee, SK vice chair, and 16 regional chamber chairs attended. From Japan, six business leaders, including Kobayashi Ken, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry chair, took part.
The two countries' chambers agreed through a joint statement to work closely together to solve shared structural challenges facing Korea and Japan. The joint statement included: ▲ cooperation in future industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and energy ▲ joint responses to low birthrates and aging populations ▲ expanded cultural exchanges.
The chairpersons shared the view that future industries such as AI, semiconductors, and energy are core areas that will determine the competitiveness of both countries. Based on this, the two countries agreed to jointly build stable investment environments and supply chains and to cooperate to maintain a free and open international economic order.
They also agreed that low birthrates and population decline are serious issues both countries face together and decided to strengthen cooperation to seek solutions. As the two governments have begun related consultations, the private institutional sector will also discuss practical cooperation measures, such as sharing policy and research experience.
The business communities of both countries also noted that mutual visits are increasing with the expansion of direct flight routes. Based on this trend, the two chambers decided to broaden the foundation for exchanges in various areas, including the economy, tourism, and culture.
At a special talk organized to mark the 60th anniversary of normalized relations, participants discussed ways to advance the framework of bilateral cooperation to the level of an economic alliance. With Waseda University Professor Park Sang-jun moderating, panelists included Special Professor Lee Ji-pyung of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yoo Hyuk, head of Nomura Research Institute Seoul, and Senior Researcher Ijuin Atsushi of the Japan Center for Economic Research.
Experts assessed that amid the reconfiguration of industrial and trade structures, the two countries are facing new challenges that are difficult to address with existing approaches alone. They emphasized that Korea and Japan should expand their external scope as a common market through an economic alliance.
Discussions on future industrial transitions continued. In AI and semiconductors, participants agreed on the need for cooperation that leverages both countries' strengths, such as collaboration on physical AI and building a joint Multimodal AI platform. In startups, there was consensus on the need to build a joint Korea-Japan ecosystem that goes beyond the limits of a single country.
Meanwhile, a special exhibition highlighting 60 years of economic cooperation since normalization of relations was held alongside the meeting. Various cases of cooperation were presented, expanding from technology exchanges and global joint investments to joint responses on future industries.
Yoon Cheol-min, head of international trade at KORCHAM, said, "This year's chairpersons' meeting was a meaningful occasion to look back on the achievements of the past 60 years as the restoration of shuttle diplomacy between the two leaders has spread a mood of cooperation." He added, "We will work closely with the Japan Chamber to strengthen the Korea-Japan economic alliance."
The 15th Korea-Japan chambers of commerce chairpersons' meeting is scheduled to be held next year in Sendai, Japan.