China Responds to THAAD 'Three No's Agreement' Denial: "Step-by-Step Processing Agreement Reached at the Time"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Regarding the statement made by Ambassador Nam Gwanpyo, then the 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office in 2017 when South Korea and China were in conflict over the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, that the so-called '3 No's (3불) agreement' with China was neither a promise nor an agreement, China has clearly stated that an agreement was indeed made.

On the 22nd, according to Global Times and others, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was asked to comment on Ambassador Nam's remarks and responded accordingly. Spokesperson Zhao said, "South Korea and China reached an agreement in October 2017 to handle the THAAD issue step by step," adding, "(South Korea and China) decided at that time to restore bilateral relations to the normal track of improvement and development."

Spokesperson Zhao emphasized, "The process of the bilateral agreement was very clear and aligned with the common interests of both countries," and "China's related position has been consistent and clear." He continued, "China opposes the deployment of THAAD by the United States in South Korea as it undermines China's strategic security interests," and "also opposes disrupting the regional strategic balance."

Chinese media such as Global Times reported, citing Korean media, that Ambassador Nam stated at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit held the previous day, "The three points mentioned to China at that time were neither promises nor agreements," and expressed that there is no need to be bound by them.

Our government, at the height of the THAAD conflict in October 2017, acknowledged China's concerns regarding South Korea's participation in the U.S. missile defense system (MD), additional THAAD deployment, and trilateral military cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, and through consultations, managed to resolve the conflict between the two countries.

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