TCS

On February 12, 2026, the Young Ambassador Program (YAP) 2026 concluded with a Group Presentation and Closing Ceremony at Korea University Sejong Campus, Republic of Korea. Co-hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), Sejong City, and the Korea University Sejong Campus RISE Center, the program brought together 48 undergraduate and graduate students from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea under the theme, “Youth Beyond Borders: Creating Shared Future for Trilateral Cooperation.” The highlight of the ceremony was the final group presentations, during which participants introduced policy proposals developed throughout the program. The presentation topics included “Learning across CJK Borders: A Pact for Aging Populations,” “Child and Adolescent Online Safety,” “A Trilateral Campus–Carbon–Climate Security Initiative in CJK,” and “Common China-Japan-Korea Value Chain to Vitalize Regional Areas,” among others, reflecting diverse perspectives on trilateral cooperation. Closing remarks were delivered by YAN Liang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, and Professor CHOI Doo-ho, Head of the Korea University Sejong Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation. YAP 2026 featured thematic lectures on sustainable development, economic cooperation, demographic trends, AI and cybersecurity, cultural exchange, and youth engagement. The program also included a career talk session and cultural exploration tours in Sejong and Jeonju. The next edition of the Young Ambassador Program will be held in China in 2027, continuing its mission to promote youth engagement and trilateral cooperation.▲YAN Liang, Deputy Secretary-General of Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat delivering closing remarks▲CHOI Doo-ho, Director and Head of Korea University Sejong Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation delivering closing remarks▲Group Presentation▲Group Presentation▲Group Photo

2026 Young Ambassador Program Kicked Off in Sejong, Republic of Korea - Youth Beyond Borders: Creating Shared Future for Trilateral Cooperation- The 2026 Young Ambassador Program (YAP) officially commenced at Sejong City Hall in Sejong, Republic of Korea. The program is co-hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), Sejong City, and the Korea University Sejong Campus RISE Center. Celebrating its 12th edition since its inception in 2013, YAP has become one of TCS’s flagship youth exchange initiatives, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among the youth of the three nations. This year’s program, titled “Youth Beyond Borders: Creating Shared Future for Trilateral Cooperation,” brought together 48 undergraduate and graduate students from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea for an engaging 10-day experience. The Opening Ceremony featured opening remarks by TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-Sup, Mayor of Sejong City CHOI Min-ho, and Executive Vice President of Korea University, YANG Ji-won. They emphasized the importance of empowering young leaders to strengthen trilateral cooperation and address shared regional challenges through dialogue, interactive learning, and exchange. A highlight of the event was the Global Leadership Dialogue, held under the theme “The Next Generation of Global Leadership,” which followed the opening ceremony. Distinguished speakers included Ms. Kavita Sinha, Special Advisor to the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund; Ganbold Baasanjav, Head of UNESCAP East and North-East Asia Office; and Asa Torkelsson, Chief of the UNFPA Seoul Representation Office. In this session, high-level representatives of international organizations discussed key global issues and the role of youth in shaping the future, while also sharing personal stories that shaped their leadership paths. The 2026 YAP, scheduled to take place from February 4 to 13, features a diverse and comprehensive agenda, including six expert lectures delivered by eminent professionals. The program will address key issues in trilateral cooperation, such as sustainable development goals, economic cooperation, ageing population & demography in East Asia, AI & cybersecurity in East Asia, cultural exchange, and education & youth engagement. At the conclusion of the program, participants will present team-based policy proposals on trilateral cooperation. The program also includes an insightful career talk session led by young experts from international organization and the private HR sectors, as well as guided cultural exploration tours in Sejong and Jeonju, offering participants opportunities to experience Korean cultural content programs. The Young Ambassador Program strengthens friendship among the three countries and cultivates future leaders capable of contributing to trilateral cooperation.▲LEE Hee-sup, Secretary-General of Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat delivering opening remarks▲CHOI Min-ho, Mayor of Sejong City delivering congratulatory remarks▲YANG Ji-woon, Executive Vice President of Korea University delivering congratulatory remarks▲VIPs Group photo▲Group photo▲Global Leadership Dialogue Speaker, Kavita Sinha, Special Advisor to the Executive Director of Green Climate Fund▲Global Leadership Dialogue Speaker, Ganbold Baasanjav, Head of UNESCAP East and North-East Asia Office▲Global Leadership Dialogue Speaker, Asa Torkelsson, Chief of UNFPA Seoul Representation Office▲Global Leadership Dialogue Q & A Session▲Global Leadership Dialogue Q & A Session

The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) welcomed Ms. CHUNG Eui-hae, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, for a courtesy visit on 6 January 2026. During the meeting, views were exchanged on ongoing cooperation and future prospects for trilateral cooperation among China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, reaffirming the importance of trilateral cooperation.

On December 18, 2025, TCS Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang met with Mr. MA Guisheng, Minister-Counselor for Education at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Korea, at the TCS office. During the meeting, DSG YAN briefed Minister-Counselor MA on the TCS’s ongoing efforts and key initiatives in the fields of education and youth cooperation, highlighting recent programs and activities aimed at strengthening people-to-people exchanges, especially youth exchanges, under the Joint Statement of the 9th Trilateral Summit.Minister-Counselor MA spoke highly of the TCS’s contributions to promoting trilateral cooperation in education and youth affairs. He expressed his willingness to further strengthen collaboration with the TCS, noting the importance of joint efforts in expanding exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual understanding among young people of the three countries.Both sides agreed to maintain close communication and explore practical avenues for cooperation to advance education and youth exchanges in the future.▲Group Photo