On August 28, Secretary-General LIM Byung-jin participated in the Farewell & Welcome Reception of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, Korea. 

The event included a speech by the outgoing Secretary-General OU Boqian, an inauguration speech by the new Secretary-General LEE Hee-seop, and a congratulatory video message from Vice Foreign Minister CHUNG Byeong-won. The ceremony was further enriched by congratulatory remarks from XING Haiming, the Chinese ambassador to Korea, and KUMAGAI Naoki, the chief of the mission at the Japanese Embassy in Korea. Subsequently, greetings were given by ZUSHI Shuji and YAN Liang, the new deputy secretary-generals.

Mr. Lim commended the outgoing Secretary-General OU Boqian for her significant contributions to fostering friendship and cooperation among China, Japan, and Korea over the past two years, particularly in the challenging international political landscape of Northeast Asia. He extended his request for her ongoing interest and support for collaboration among China, Japan, Korea, and the broader Northeast Asian region even after she returns home.

In addition, Mr. Lim congratulated Mr. Lee on his appointment as Secretary-General and encouraged him to enhance the Secretariat's development while strengthening cooperation with NEAR, drawing upon his extensive diplomatic experience. 

Mr. Lim took the opportunity to engage with the participants, introducing NEAR and its recent activities, and sought their interest and support.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished individuals such as KIM Hwang-sik, former prime minister, SHIN Bong-gil, president of the Korea Association of Foreign Affairs, XING Haiming Chinese ambassador to Korea, CHEN Ribiao, Chinese consul-general in Busan, NOH Jae-heon, director of the East Asian Cultural Center, SHIN Jeong-seung, former ambassador to China, CHO Tae-yeong former vice minister, and KUMAGAI Naoki, chief of the mission at the Japanese Embassy in Korea.