SEOUL — South Korea, China, and Japan agreed on Friday to work together in responding to the coronavirus pandemic and promoting the fair international distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, Yonhap cited the S. Korean health and welfare ministry as saying.

The health ministers of the three countries adopted a joint statement after holding their annual talks via video links.

They agreed to enhance cooperation in the fight against the disease, sharing their experiences in the development of diagnostic kits, treatments, and vaccines.

South Korea introduced its information technology-based tracing systems, as well as testing kits and treatments utilizing artificial intelligence technology, the ministry said.

They also agreed that vaccines are international common goods and expressed support for global efforts to give developing countries affordable and effective access to COVID-19 shots, including the World Health Organization's global vaccine project called COVAX Facility.

South Korean Minister Park Neunghoo proposed the establishment of a joint vaccine supply mechanism among the three Northeast Asian countries. He also raised the need for the three neighbors to share data and technologies for COVID-19 vaccines and medicines, the ministry said. — SPA