As South Korea and the US Draw Closer, North Korea and China Also Strengthen Ties... Wang Yi and Ri Ryong-nam Meeting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, and Ri Ryong-nam, North Korea's Ambassador to China, met and showcased their "blood alliance" relationship. While South Korea and the U.S. are closely cooperating following the South Korea-U.S. summit, North Korea and China also appear to be strengthening their ties. There is a possibility that they discussed the resumption of North Korea-China trade, which had been halted due to COVID-19.

According to local media, Foreign Minister Wang met Ambassador Ri on the afternoon of the 27th at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

This was their first meeting since Ambassador Ri was appointed in February.

At the meeting, Minister Wang emphasized, "The friendship between our two countries, personally fostered by former leaders, was forged through the blood shed together in the fires of fighting against external invasions," adding, "North Korea and China are good neighbors sharing mountains and rivers, and the traditional friendship between our two countries is a precious and treasured common asset."

The "fires fought together" mentioned by Minister Wang likely refer to the anti-Japanese struggle and the Korean War.

Minister Wang added, "Amid profound changes in the current international and regional situation, we want to raise our traditional friendship with North Korea even higher and develop our relationship in line with the times," further stating, "Through this, we will actively contribute to regional peace and stability."

In response, Ambassador Ri said, "Under the care of our two countries' leaders, the North Korea-China friendship has reached a new stage."

Experts interpret this as a process where, following the South Korea-U.S. summit where the two leaders agreed on a North Korea policy based on dialogue and diplomacy and coordinated closely, North Korea and China are also responding by strengthening their ties.

Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "China's move to summon Ambassador Ri and show close ties is a response to the close cooperation between South Korea and the U.S.," adding, "China is expressing displeasure over the inclusion of Taiwan and South China Sea issues in the South Korea-U.S. joint statement and signaling that it will also exert influence on inter-Korean issues."

Professor Yang also noted, "In the future process of resuming North Korea-U.S. talks, China aims to ensure there is no China passing by managing North Korea," and predicted, "Considering these moves, the possibility of dialogue resumption is increasing."

Jung Sung-jang, Director of the North Korea Research Center at the Sejong Institute, said, "While this is also a response to the South Korea-U.S. close cooperation, it can be seen as China showing the U.S. that it has influence to bring North Korea to the dialogue table," explaining, "North Korea also met to consult with China before engaging in talks with the U.S. or South Korea."

Given that Ambassador Ri is North Korea's representative "trade expert," there is also a possibility that the resumption of North Korea-China trade was discussed. Currently, North Korea and China have resumed limited trade but have not yet returned to full-scale trade. Director Jung said, "Due to North Korea's difficult economic situation, they may have requested North Korea-related support from China at this meeting."

With Park Jie-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, visiting the U.S., communication between North Korea and China is taking place, indicating an intense diplomatic battle surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Professor Yang analyzed, "Just as Seo Hoon, the current National Security Office chief and former National Intelligence Service director, played a key role in the April 27, 2018 Panmunjom Declaration and the Singapore Agreement, Director Park will likely play a certain role in the process of resuming North Korea-U.S. and inter-Korean dialogue this time."

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