Amidst the ensuing news of economic downturn in most giant economies, one of Asian four tigers, South Korea collaborated with trading partners Japan and China in establishing a Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat aiming for cooperative developments in their respective nations, Korea Times reported.

Kim Sung-hwan, South Korea's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade told media early Monday, the international organization will focus on systematic and efficient management and development of cooperation despite having issues that persist to intervene with international relations and carry out research and studies geared towards good governance of three nations.

"I expect the secretariat will grow as a powerful international body like the European Union or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations," Shin, Bong-il, the first secretary-general appointed and former Korean Ambassador for the International Economic Cooperation told media in an opening ceremony of the Trilateral Secretariat in Seoul today.

Shin also pointed out he will have a rotating leadership in the next two years along with other two senior diplomats and deputy-secretary-generals-Counselor Matsukawa Rui of Japanese Embassy in South Korea and Director Mao Ning of the Office for Korean Peninsula of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"The three countries are quickly moving toward the center of the global stage. In this context, nobody can survive alone. We need strong cooperation," Matsugawa Rui told media.

However, the secretary-general also announced the office will not have instantaneous contributions in resolving current conflicts among three nations.

"The launch of the secretariat, though it would not immediately accomplish many things or resolve outstanding disputes among three countries, still has symbolic significant," China Daily quoted Shin Bong-kil as saying.

"Despite the fact that the countries have shared issues to dispute, we know that the three should work closely together," Director Mao Ning said addressing the media and those who were present.