Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, second from left, poses with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, third from left, and Chinese Premier Le Keqiang during an ASEAN Plus Three summit in Phnom Penh on Nov. 12. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk-yeol on Saturday voiced hope for a swift reactivation of trilateral cooperation mechanisms among South Korea, China and Japan, while also proposing areas to strengthen collaboration between the three nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Yoon made the remarks during an ASEAN Plus Three summit, which brought together the leaders of nine ASEAN countries, and South Korea, China, and Japan. Myanmar, an ASEAN member, did not take part.

"South Korea will play an active role as this year's chair of the South Korea-China-Japan summit, and coordinator representing South Korea, China, and Japan for the ASEAN Plus Three," Yoon said.

"I hope trilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the South Korea-China-Japan summit, will be swiftly reactivated."

The three nations have not held a trilateral summit since December 2019 amid a deterioration of bilateral ties among them and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended Saturday's ASEAN Plus Three gathering, but they did not hold a separate trilateral meeting with Yoon.

Yoon also presented ideas to strengthen cooperation between the three East Asian nations and ASEAN, noting this year marks 25 years since the launch of the ASEAN Plus Three.