South Korea, China and Japan have agreed to set up a Northeast Asian science and technology cooperative organization.

The agreement was reached in a meeting of top officials of the three countries on Monday in Tokyo.

Officials said they would prepare to set up joint research projects, ways to allow for joint use of large-scale research facilities, and hosting of science and technology forums.

They also agreed to hold a meeting of science and technology ministers among the three nations in the first half of 2005 to create a basic framework for mutual cooperation.