'North Korea ICBM Provocation' Draws International Condemnation Amid China's "Always Support and Trust" Statement

King Meets with North Korea's Park Myung-ho Vice Premier in Beijing
Chinese Foreign Ministry: "Military Pressure Backfires," Shifts Responsibility to South Korea, US, and Japan

In response to North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch, South Korea, the United States, and Japan strongly condemned the act on the 18th and sought to strengthen trilateral cooperation on North Korea. However, China demonstrated close ties with North Korea on the day of the ICBM launch and expressed its support for the country.

Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, and Pak Myong-ho, Vice Foreign Minister of North Korea, held talks in Beijing.
[Photo by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Park Myong-ho, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Korea, who is visiting China, held talks with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Beijing on the morning of the same day. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that Vice Minister Park visited China for diplomatic negotiations.

At the meeting, Minister Wang said, "The traditional friendship between China and Joseon (North Korea) was directly established by the previous generations of leaders of both parties and countries, and it is a precious asset for both sides," adding, "Under the strategic guidance and attention of the top leaders of both parties and countries, the traditional friendship between China and Joseon shines even more in the new era."

He continued, "Facing an international situation fraught with conflicts, China and Joseon have always supported and trusted each other, clearly recognizing the strategic significance of friendly cooperation," and stated, "China always views China-North Korea relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, wishes to strengthen communication and coordination with Joseon, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields."

He also added, "We hope to successfully hold the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year and promote the continuous and stable development of the China-Joseon friendly cooperative relationship."

Vice Minister Park responded, "Joseon hopes to solidify the China-Joseon fraternal friendship and continuously develop bilateral relations on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China," and said, "Joseon will continue to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China, safeguard common interests, and maintain peace and stability in the region."

Vice Minister Park is known as a 'China expert,' having served as Deputy Director in charge of China at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Charg? d'Affaires and Acting Ambassador at the North Korean Embassy in China.

It is unknown whether North Korea's ICBM launch was discussed during the meeting between Minister Wang and Vice Minister Park. However, the fact that China publicly disclosed that Minister Wang held a bilateral meeting with Vice Minister Park on the day of North Korea's ICBM launch and mentioned words such as 'support, trust, and friendly cooperation' is interpreted as China placing greater emphasis on cooperation with North Korea despite the strong opposition from South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

China also defended North Korea at the United Nations Security Council meeting held on the 27th of last month (local time), following North Korea's military reconnaissance satellite launch, stating that "no country can sacrifice another country's right to self-defense for its own security."

At the afternoon regular briefing held a few hours after the meeting, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not criticize North Korea's ICBM launch but instead blamed the security cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan for worsening the situation.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to requests for comments on North Korea's ICBM launch by saying, "The Korean Peninsula issue is complicated and intertwined," and added, "Trying to solve the problem through pressure with military deterrence does not work; it backfires, intensifies conflicts, and escalates tensions."

This is interpreted as a remark targeting the security cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, including the missile warning information real-time sharing system scheduled to be operational within the year and the entry of the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine USS Missouri into the Busan Naval Base.

Spokesperson Wang emphasized, "Only dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental ways to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue," and said, "We hope the relevant parties will face the root causes of the Korean Peninsula issue squarely, take concrete actions to promote the political resolution process of the Korean Peninsula issue, and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

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