China "UN Security Council Must Adjust Sanctions on North Korea"... Reaffirms Support for Regulatory Easing

Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending and delivering a speech via video on the 3rd at the opening ceremony of the 6th Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok, Russia. The Eastern Economic Forum is an event that discusses the development of Russia's Far East region, economic cooperation with neighboring countries, and ways to attract foreign investment. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding foreign media reports that the UN Security Council (UNSC) is discussing easing sanctions on North Korea, the Chinese government has argued that the 'reversible clause of the UNSC resolutions' should be invoked to ease sanctions on North Korea.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 6th that regarding the UNSC's move to ease sanctions on North Korea, "China's consistent position is to promptly invoke the reversible clause of the UNSC resolutions related to North Korea and make necessary adjustments to the sanctions measures, especially those concerning the livelihood sector."

He emphasized, "This aligns with the spirit of the UNSC resolutions, helps alleviate North Korea's humanitarian and livelihood situation, and furthermore, creates conditions and injects momentum for the political resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue."

The intention is to ease sanctions on North Korea for the time being, considering that North Korea has not conducted nuclear tests or intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launches since the end of 2017.

Earlier, Russia's Interfax news agency reported on the 4th that discussions are underway at the UNSC to ease sanctions on North Korea in light of the worsening situation due to the spread of COVID-19, but the United States is currently opposing this.

Meanwhile, regarding the possibility of Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, visiting South Korea next week, spokesperson Wang said, "China and South Korea are friendly neighboring countries, and both sides have continuously maintained communication and exchanges at various levels," adding, "There is no news to announce currently regarding specific visit plans."

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