President Yoon's Emphasis on 'Role Toward North Korea' Met with China's Call to 'Prioritize Dialogue Restoration'

Mao Ning, Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Photo by Yonhap News

Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized that restoring dialogue is a priority in response to President Yoon Suk-yeol's emphasis on China's role in North Korea's denuclearization.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated at a regular briefing on the 5th, "China has consistently and seriously implemented the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions," adding, "The Security Council's resolutions on North Korea emphasize not only sanctions but also dialogue."

Spokesperson Mao said, "China advocates for the comprehensive and balanced implementation of the relevant resolutions and opposes selectively emphasizing sanctions while neglecting dialogue."

Earlier, in a written interview with the Associated Press released the previous day, President Yoon said, "Considering North Korea's economic dependence on China, it appears that China holds considerable influence over North Korea," and added, "The important question is whether China will use that influence, and if so, how and to what extent."

President Yoon also urged, "If the situation continues where North Korea openly violates UN Security Council resolutions while advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities, China, as a permanent member of the Security Council responsible for maintaining international peace and stability, should make constructive efforts toward North Korea's denuclearization."

He further emphasized, "It should also be considered that North Korea's nuclear development exacerbates instability in the regional order, which is by no means a desirable outcome from China's national interest perspective."

Spokesperson Mao Ning said, "The current phase of the situation on the Korean Peninsula does not align with the interests of all parties involved, nor is it what China hopes for," adding, "The root cause of the stalemate in the process to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue, which began in 2018, lies in the United States' failure to take corresponding measures for North Korea's denuclearization steps, its disregard for North Korea's legitimate concerns, and its unwillingness to resolve them." He stated.

He continued, "The United States must reflect on its mistakes and take responsibility," and asserted, "It should stop sanctions and military threats and take practical measures to resume meaningful dialogue."

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