Yoon: "Aligning with Russia and North Korea does not benefit China... China's role is important for international peace"

Yoon, Written Interview with The Telegraph
On the Occasion of UK State Visit, Both Countries Reaffirm as Global Strategic Partners
Strengthening Partnership in Politics, Economy, and Exchanges

President Yoon Suk-yeol pointed out that "China's alignment with Russia and North Korea is not in its own interest." He stated that China's involvement in North Korea-Russia military cooperation, such as supplying weapons to Russia during the Ukraine war, not only escalates global security threats but also isolates China itself.

According to the Presidential Office and the UK Telegraph on the 20th, President Yoon said in a written interview with the UK Telegraph published that day, "China should consider that pursuing trilateral cooperation with North Korea and Russia, who blatantly violate the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions, and other international norms, will not help its international reputation and status."

President Yoon criticized, "North Korea's weapon support to Russia will prolong the Ukraine war and increase human casualties," adding, "If, in return, Russia provides military technology support to North Korea, it will be an act threatening the security of the Republic of Korea and peace in the region." He continued, "The North Korea-Russia military cooperation is a serious violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and a provocative act threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia, and Europe," warning, "We firmly oppose the illegal arms trade between Russia and North Korea and will actively respond together with the international community."

Regarding China's role in maintaining peace in Northeast Asia and Korea-China relations, he mentioned, "China's role is important in promoting freedom, peace, and prosperity in East Asia and the international community," and "Our government consistently maintains the position of aiming for healthy and mature Korea-China relations based on mutual respect, reciprocity, and common interests."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon also regarded his state visit to the UK starting that day as an opportunity to develop bilateral relations in various fields such as politics, economy, science, and human exchange. Invited by King Charles III, President Yoon is making a state visit to the UK from the 20th to the 23rd. He expressed gratitude, saying, "The fact that the Republic of Korea is the first country to be invited for a state visit after King Charles III's coronation shows how much the UK values and needs Korea for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and on the global stage."

Regarding the development of bilateral relations, President Yoon evaluated, "During the Korean War in 1950, young people from the UK did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives to protect Korea's freedom," and "Thanks to the UK's help, the Republic of Korea achieved rapid and high economic growth and established liberal democracy, and through this visit, it is reborn as the UK's global strategic partner."

President Yoon especially stated, "During this visit, the two countries will develop future-oriented cooperation in all fields including politics, economy, advanced science and technology, and human exchange, and strengthen partnership cooperation in various sectors such as digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, nuclear power, defense industry, bio, space, semiconductors, offshore wind power, clean energy, and maritime," adding, "The Korean government and companies wish to deepen and advance cooperation with the UK, and the approximately 70-member economic delegation accompanying me will actively engage with UK companies to seek new business opportunities during the state visit."

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