Lee In-young "US-China Competition Not Desirable... Possible Cooperation on Denuclearization" (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Minister of Unification Lee In-young stated that it is undesirable for US-China relations to be competitive in every aspect and suggested the possibility of cooperation in the process of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. Regarding US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks on 'additional sanctions,' he said, "It is necessary to evaluate what results the sanctions so far have produced."

At a press conference with foreign correspondents held at the Press Club on the afternoon of the 3rd, Minister Lee was asked, "US-China conflicts are a byproduct of hegemonic competition. Do you think the peace process on the Korean Peninsula can help ease hegemonic competition?" He responded, "It is not desirable for US-China relations to be competitive in every aspect," expressing this view.

In his opening remarks that day, Minister Lee also said, "Recently, through a phone call between the South Korean and Chinese leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed support for inter-Korean and North Korea-US talks," adding, "Rather, the peace process on the Korean Peninsula could become an opportunity for the US and China to cooperate in their intention for peaceful coexistence."

Minister Lee added, "Regarding denuclearization, which is one of the pillars of the peace process on the Korean Peninsula, I understand that not only the US but also China supports it," and "I also understand that there is considerable public opinion within the US that the denuclearization process is an area where China and the US can cooperate, and in that context, it could serve as an opportunity for mutual cooperation."

Regarding Secretary Blinken's recent statement that 'additional sanctions and diplomatic solutions, as well as economic incentives, will be considered simultaneously,' Minister Lee said, "If we are to talk about additional sanctions, it is time to evaluate what results the sanctions so far have produced," adding, "We must carefully consider the aspect that humanitarian issues concerning North Korean residents have not been overlooked during the sanction process."

When asked about plans to promote a 'special envoy visit to Pyongyang,' he said, "It has not yet been reviewed within our government," and added, "Our government is ready to engage in dialogue at any time and any place without restrictions."

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 5th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Regarding the so-called law banning the distribution of leaflets to North Korea (Partial Amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations) and whether it infringes on freedom of expression, he emphasized, "The fundamental concern of this law is primarily to protect the lives and safety of 1.12 million residents in border areas," and added, "It does not have the main purpose of restricting freedom of expression."

Another foreign correspondent asked about Jeong Park, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who criticized the Moon administration for pressuring defector groups and was appointed as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under the Biden administration, questioning whether cooperation between the South Korean and US governments on defector issues might be difficult. In response, Minister Lee said, "It is not appropriate for our government to comment on the free opinions expressed by him as a scholar before his appointment to public office," and added, "Our government and the US government cannot have differing positions on North Korean human rights issues."

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