Strengthening North Korea-China Cooperation... Choe Son Hui Meets Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister "Protecting Shared Core Interests"

by Kim Yuri

Published 27 Jan.2024 10:00(KST)

North Korea and China have stepped up cooperation this year to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 27th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Choe Son-hui, North Korea's Foreign Minister, met with Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was visiting Pyongyang the day before. The agency stated that Foreign Minister Choe and Vice Minister Sun agreed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of North Korea-China diplomatic relations this year by strengthening tactical cooperation and joint coordination to safeguard their shared core interests. This is interpreted as a move to reinforce solidarity against the United States and other Western countries. At the end of last year, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, emphasized at the Workers' Party plenary meeting that they would "further develop relations with anti-imperialist and independent countries opposing the hegemony strategy of the United States and the West."

On the same day, Vice Minister Sun also held a separate meeting with Pak Myong-ho, Vice Foreign Minister, at the People's Palace of Culture. They had previously met in Beijing, China, in December last year. The two sides discussed projects to be carried out this year, designated as the "Year of Korea-China Friendship," and agreed to expand and develop friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in various fields, the agency reported. It added that they reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between the two countries' diplomatic sectors on various regional and international issues, including the situation in Northeast Asia.

China also disclosed that Vice Minister Sun met with Foreign Minister Choe and Vice Minister Pak, stating that both sides exchanged views extensively and deeply on common interests such as China-North Korea relations and international and regional situations in a friendly and amicable atmosphere. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that after highly evaluating the achievements in the development of bilateral relations, both sides confirmed that consolidating China-North Korea relations is the firm position of both parties and governments. They also added that the two sides agreed on the schedule of major events related to the Year of China-North Korea Friendship.