Cheong Wa Dae "Communicated with China Regarding Moon's US Visit... China Also Understands Korea's Position" (Comprehensive)

China's Foreign Ministry Expresses "Concerns Over Joint Statement Content"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House stated that it has maintained necessary communication with China regarding President Moon Jae-in's recent visit to the United States. In response to reports that China expressed displeasure over the inclusion of the "Taiwan Strait" in the South Korea-U.S. joint presidential statement, the Blue House refuted this by saying, "China also shows an understanding attitude toward South Korea's position." However, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern and protested the content of the joint statement.

A senior Blue House official responded to reporters' questions on the 24th at the Blue House Press Hall about whether they had explained the joint statement to the Chinese side, saying, "We have maintained necessary communication with the Chinese side regarding President Moon's visit to the U.S. through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others."

This joint statement included the Taiwan Strait for the first time, raising concerns that China might feel displeased. However, the Blue House official drew a clear line, stating, "Although the Taiwan Strait was included in the statement for the first time, considering the special nature of cross-strait relations, it consistently and fundamentally expressed the basic position that regional stability is also important to us."

There were reports that "China expressed displeasure," but the Blue House official said, "We regularly have many opportunities for communication with China, and constant consultations are held through the Chinese Embassy in Korea and the Korean Embassy in China," adding, "China also shows an understanding attitude toward South Korea's position."

Contrary to the Blue House official's remarks, on the same day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated, "China expresses concern over the content of the joint statement," and protested, saying, "The Taiwan issue is a purely internal matter of China, and any external interference is unacceptable." In response, the Blue House official said, "We have had many communications with China regularly, and if you compare China's announcement with the one made after the U.S.-Japan summit joint statement, you can see that it is not as intense."

Regarding the 'nuclear cooperation' mentioned in the joint statement, when asked by reporters whether there was any discussion about nuclear submarines, the official replied, "As far as I know, there was none."

Regarding why "China" was explicitly mentioned in the U.S.-Japan joint statement but not in the South Korea-U.S. joint presidential statement, the Blue House official explained, "It is because President Biden understands that South Korea's relationship with China is complicated," and added, "The U.S. does not intend to force its allies to choose between the U.S. and China."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, on the same day, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming attended a seminar on "100 Years of the Chinese Communist Party and China's Development" and told reporters, "Although the word 'China' is not in the statement, we are not unaware that it is aimed at China," showing a difference in tone from our government.

A Blue House official said that the main focus in preparing this South Korea-U.S. joint presidential statement was "to specifically list the future evolution of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and areas of cooperation, and to specify the content and direction of cooperation," adding, "Because our country's capabilities have grown in the international community, whereas the alliance used to be beneficiary and security-oriented, it is now developing into a mutually beneficial and partnership-based alliance."

Regarding the Korean Peninsula issue, the official evaluated, "The U.S. will proactively consider denuclearization and corresponding measures based on past agreements," and said, "This lays the groundwork for dialogue on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and full-scale negotiations are expected." The appointment of Sung Kim, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, as the Special Representative for North Korea also reflects our position, and we expect to have concrete consultations with him on various negotiation issues with us soon.

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