Government Calls China's Statement on 'No Interference in Taiwan' a "Diplomatic Blunder Questioning National Dignity"

On the 20th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized China for stating that it would not allow "interference" regarding the Taiwan issue following President Yoon Seok-yeol's major foreign media interview, saying, "We cannot help but point out that this is a serious diplomatic rudeness that calls into question China's national dignity."

In a press release on the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Regarding our president's mention of the universal principle of the international community opposing changes to the status quo by force, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs made an unacceptable remark."

Im Suseok, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [Photo by Yonhap News]

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In the foreign media interview reported the previous day, President Yoon said about the tension in the Taiwan Strait, "This tension has arisen due to attempts to change the status quo by force, and we absolutely oppose any change to the status quo by force together with the international community."

He also said, "The Taiwan issue is not simply a matter between China and Taiwan, but like the issue between North and South Korea, it inevitably must be seen as a global issue beyond the region."

In response, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sharply rebuffed at a regular briefing, saying, "Resolving the Taiwan issue is a matter for the Chinese people themselves," and "We do not allow interference from others."

He added, "There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory," and "The Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affair and is at the core of China's core interests."

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