“Korea-China-Korea-US relations need to have closer communication rather than conflict”
President Yoon and Xi Jinping request each other to visit Korea and China
President Yoon Seok-yeol and Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed concern on the 15th (local time) about the recent increase in tensions on the Korean Peninsula related to North Korea-Russia cooperation. However, the specific solution revealed a temperature difference.
Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, said regarding the Korea-China summit at a local briefing in Lima, Peru, this afternoon, “As conflicts between countries, regions, and geopolitics intensify, in terms of security, the two countries should join forces to alleviate conflicts and seek a peaceful resolution. “We decided to join forces to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region,” he said.
President Yoon, who is visiting Peru to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, held a Korea-China summit meeting for about 40 minutes this morning.
Deputy Director Kim said, “With regard to the Korean Peninsula issue, (President Yoon) said that with regard to North Korea’s continued military provocations such as ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) launches and military cooperation with Russia, China’s constructive role is to be taken by actions that destabilize the Korean Peninsula and the environment in the region. “China also said that it hopes to ease the situation in the region and does not want tension on the Korean Peninsula,” he explained.
He added, “We hope to resolve the issue peacefully through dialogue and negotiation in order to seek a political solution between the parties.”
A high-ranking official from the President’s Office met with reporters and said that President Xi did not directly respond to President Yoon’s request for North Korea-Russia military cooperation, but added, “China, as usual, is not a direct problem, but hopes that all problems can be resolved peacefully.” “It is,” he said.
He said, “Going forward, we will communicate with China to look into areas where we can cooperate with China because it is an issue within our region.”
Regarding the discussion between the two sides about the new U.S. administration of Donald Trump, this official said, “The consensus reached today is that the Korea-China relationship and the Korea-U.S. relationship should not be understood as an equation of conflict and conflict, but that we will strengthen communication between Korea, China, and the U.S. to find a point of contact.” “It is,” he said.
At this summit, President Yoon and President Xi also requested to visit Korea and China,
This official said, “President Xi also proposed to our President to visit China, and our President also proposed to President Xi to visit Korea.” He added, “In particular, since we are hosting the Gyeongju APEC around the fall of next year, President Xi naturally also asked us to visit Korea. “All the leaders expressed their gratitude to each other for the invitation,” he said.
In addition, the issue of the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which marks its 10th anniversary next year, was also discussed at the summit.
Deputy Minister Kim said, “President Xi agreed that we hope to accelerate the Korea-China FTA service investment negotiations and achieve results early, and President Yoon also hoped to see positive progress on this issue,” adding, “The Korea-China FTA will take effect next year.” “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we agreed to work together to accomplish the remaining task of negotiating Korea-China FTA service investment,” he said.
At the summit, President Yoon asked President Xi to take care so that Korean companies operating in China can do business well in a predictable and stable environment. President Xi hopes to assume the presidency of the APEC summit in 2026, and President Yoon expressed his support for this.
(Lima = News 1)
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How does China’s cautious stance on North Korea affect its relationship with South Korea and the broader East Asian diplomatic landscape?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Han Soo-jin, Expert on East Asian Relations
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Han. Thank you for joining us today. It’s always a pleasure to have you share your insights. The recent summit between President Yoon and President Xi has garnered quite a bit of attention. What are your initial thoughts on their discussions regarding Korea-China relations and the ongoing tensions related to North Korea?
Dr. Han Soo-jin: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time in East Asian diplomacy, and I believe the summit was a positive step toward de-escalating tensions, especially with the backdrop of North Korea-Russia cooperation. Both leaders recognized the need for communication over conflict, which is foundational to any diplomatic progress.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. During the meeting, there was a clear acknowledgment of the increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. How significant is the collaboration between Korea and China, particularly in context of North Korea’s military provocations?
Dr. Han Soo-jin: The collaboration is quite significant. As Kim Tae-hyo stated, the need for both countries to unite in relieving conflicts is more pertinent than ever. North Korea’s continued missile tests and military alliances pose substantial risks to regional stability. By working together, Korea and China may create a more conducive environment for dialogue – one that could lead to a political resolution rather than an escalation of military threats.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting to note that while President Yoon called for China’s constructive role, he received a rather non-committal response regarding North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia. What does that indicate about China’s stance in this dynamic?
Dr. Han Soo-jin: China’s response reflects its usual cautious approach. They are historically reluctant to directly confront North Korea, viewing it as a buffer state against U.S. influence. By not addressing President Yoon’s concerns in concrete terms, it suggests that China is likely aiming to maintain its own strategic interests while advocating for peace. They want to reduce tensions but not at the cost of alienating Pyongyang.
Time.news Editor: In light of the current geopolitical landscape, how do you interpret the consensus that Korea-China and Korea-U.S. relationships should not be viewed merely as conflictual?
Dr. Han Soo-jin: That’s a crucial observation. The tangled web of relationships in East Asia necessitates a nuanced approach. By strengthening communication and seeking points of contact, there’s potential for a more collaborative framework, rather than a binary conflict model. This could invite more substantial negotiations on various issues, including trade, security, and regional stability.
Time.news Editor: Both leaders expressed a wish to visit each other’s countries, particularly with the Gyeongju APEC meeting approaching. How do you think these visits could impact bilateral relations?
Dr. Han Soo-jin: Visits like these are essential for building trust and mutual understanding. They symbolize goodwill and a commitment to dialogue. The upcoming APEC summit in Korea could serve as a platform not only for economic cooperation but also for addressing broader security issues in the region. If executed thoughtfully, these visits could pave the way for more meaningful engagement between Korea and China.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your valuable insights, Dr. Han. Your analysis underscores the importance of diplomacy in navigating these complex relationships. As the situation evolves, we appreciate your expertise in helping us understand these developments.
Dr. Han Soo-jin: Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss these important issues. I hope we can continue to foster an environment of communication to promote peace in the region.