Lee In-young Meets Chinese Ambassador to Korea, "Highly Appreciates China's Efforts for Peace on the Korean Peninsula"

Meeting with Ambassador Xing Haiming Urges "Constructive Cooperation from China"
Ambassador Xing: "China Supports Dialogue, Peace, and Denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young (right) is greeting Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, on the afternoon of the 19th at the Minister's office in the Government Seoul Office Building.

Minister of Unification Lee In-young met with Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, on the 19th and said, "I ask China for constructive cooperation so that new progress can be made toward permanent peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

Minister Lee met with Ambassador Xing in the minister's office at the Government Seoul Office Building that afternoon and said, "The Chinese government has supported inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. dialogues and has continuously emphasized China's constructive role and willingness to cooperate for the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula."

He added, "The Korean government highly appreciates the Chinese government's efforts for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and hopes for continued cooperation in the future."

Minister Lee said, "China has approached the Korean Peninsula issue based on three basic principles: denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and resolving issues through dialogue and negotiation. I believe this is consistent with the Korean government's Peace Process on the Korean Peninsula."

He continued, "There are various factors destabilizing the regional situation, such as North Korea's nuclear and military provocations, and actions that run counter to peace in Northeast Asia. Even amid these, China has consistently adhered to the three basic principles, which I believe has greatly helped improve several situations that conflicted with China's strategy."

Minister Lee emphasized exchanges, cooperation, and the resumption of dialogue for the development of inter-Korean relations and requested China's cooperation in this regard. He said, "To build a solid inter-Korean relationship, we are pursuing policies in three major directions," mentioning ▲ restoration of inter-Korean dialogue ▲ exchanges and cooperation focusing on humanitarian cooperation and small trade, such as food, medical needs, and seeing loved ones before death ▲ and implementation of inter-Korean agreements.

He said, "(These matters) are in the same context as the peace community, economic community, and life community that President Moon Jae-in recently mentioned in his Liberation Day speech," adding, "Since South Korea, North Korea, and China are geographically close, joint cooperation and efforts to resolve issues are necessary even amid the COVID-19 situation." He further added, "Joint efforts are also necessary and important from a humanitarian perspective, including public health and medical fields."

He said, "The development of inter-Korean relations is necessary not only for the narrow interests between the two Koreas but also for peace and stability in Northeast Asia. In that sense, the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue will greatly contribute to stability."

Minister Lee expressed gratitude for Chinese President Xi Jinping's consistent support for the Peace Process on the Korean Peninsula during the Korea-China summit call in May last year. He also said, "Premier Li Keqiang's active willingness to participate in the East Asia Railway Community, a Korean vision, last year will greatly help ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and establish a new peace order."

Ambassador Xing responded, "China is connected to the mountains and waters of the Korean Peninsula," adding, "Not only are we geographically close, but our friendship is deep, and our hearts are united." He said, "China firmly and unwaveringly supports dialogue, peace, denuclearization, and ultimately prosperity, development, and peaceful unification on the Korean Peninsula."

Referring to the three directions explained earlier by Minister Lee, Ambassador Xing said, "China will continue to do only things that can help reconciliation and improvement of inter-Korean relations and will strive to do so as much as possible."

Ambassador Xing pointed out that the Korean Peninsula situation was strained last year and emphasized the need for all neighboring countries to consider ways to overcome this. He particularly said, "Inter-Korean relations are the most important among these," but also added, "If we improve North Korea-U.S. relations while improving inter-Korean relations, and move forward like a two-horse carriage or two wheels, I think the Korean Peninsula situation will head in a good direction." He emphasized, "China will help from the side," and said, "China wants to play a role whether pulling or pushing."

Meanwhile, in a subsequent private meeting, Minister Lee reportedly requested China's cooperation regarding the government's key initiatives such as individual tourism to North Korea and barter trade between the two Koreas.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.