"We will strengthen cooperation in information sharing on diseases, monitor impending health issues and jointly deal with all kinds of threats that stem from contagious diseases," the officials said in a joint declaration.

The ministers discussed ways that the countries can share information on the diagnosis and prevention of potentially fatal contagious diseases, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo met with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts to discuss other related issues on the sidelines of the gathering.

Park emphasized to his Japanese counterpart, Takumi Nemoto, the need for international cooperation as some multinational drug giants are unilaterally increasing prices.

The annual meeting was first proposed by South Korea in 2007 to deal with H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks. (Yonhap)