Jeong Eui-yong "Will meet with Japan including Korea-US-Japan talks... Considering additional sanctions on Myanmar"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong expressed his hope for an early holding of the Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting, stating his willingness to meet "in any form, including a Korea-US-Japan summit." He also emphasized that additional sanctions on Myanmar are under consideration.

On the 31st, at a briefing for domestic reporters held at the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Minister Chung responded to a reporter's question by saying, "Whether it is a bilateral meeting, a Korea-US-Japan trilateral foreign ministers' meeting, whether the Japanese Foreign Minister comes, I go to Japan, or we meet in a third location, I am willing to meet in any form."

Regarding this, he said, "To strengthen communication with Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Director-General for Asia-Pacific left for Japan today," adding, "We will meet with the Japanese counterpart director-general to resume high-level working channels." However, he added that there will be a strong response to Japan's distortion of history in textbooks.

In his opening remarks, he announced that in the Korea-China summit scheduled for the 3rd of next month, there will be in-depth discussions including the Korean Peninsula issue. Minister Chung said, "In this summit, there will be in-depth discussions not only on the Korean Peninsula issue but also on ways to expand practical cooperation between the two countries," adding, "We will also discuss ways to revitalize high-level exchanges including the heads of state, and since next year marks the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations, we will consult to develop Korea-China relations to a higher level on this occasion."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the Myanmar situation, he also expressed willingness to participate in international pressure efforts. Minister Chung said, "We are actively participating in international pressure efforts to prevent violence and release democratic figures, while prioritizing the safety of 3,500 Korean residents residing there," adding, "We are preparing for emergency evacuation in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of National Defense, and we are also considering additional sanctions on Myanmar."

In response to a reporter's question pointing out the overlapping timing of the Korea-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the Korea-US-Japan Security Chiefs' Meeting (April 2), he said, "The timing coincidentally overlapped," and added, "Our basic position is to develop Korea-China relations harmoniously based on the Korea-US alliance." He continued, "The US has also stated that it will simultaneously pursue confrontation, competition, and cooperation with China," adding, "We will strive to promote cooperation between the US and China in areas such as peace on the Korean Peninsula, health security, and climate change response."

When asked whether China’s mediation regarding North Korea would be requested at this summit, he replied, "China has supported our position on the issue of establishing permanent peace through denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," and added, "We will consult in a very frank and constructive manner."

Regarding a question about whether there are plans to protest and demand correction over the distortion of Korean traditional culture on Baidu, China’s largest portal encyclopedia, he explained, "Next year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and China, and in the process of communicating with China so far, we have continuously emphasized the need to work for national goodwill based on mutual understanding and respect for cultural diversity between the two countries."

Regarding the Biden administration’s negative stance on the 'North Korea-US summit,' he said, "It is difficult to predict what results will come out at this stage," adding, "The US is still in the process of reviewing its North Korea policy, and it is not conducting a review that excludes any specific method from the beginning."

In response to a question pointing out the temperature difference between Korea and the US on North Korean human rights issues, he said, "Our government also has very deep interest and concern about the human rights situation in North Korea," adding, "For the actual human rights situation of North Korean residents to improve, humanitarian aid must precede."

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