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South Korea voices concern to China over 'North Korea nuclear condoning' speculation

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • South Korea expressed concern to China that the spread of speculation about Beijing condoning North Korea's nuclear weapons is undesirable.
  • The concern follows the removal of the phrase 'denuclearization of North Korea' from joint statements after a North Korea-China summit.
  • China stated its Korean Peninsula policy remains consistent and stable, emphasizing its continued role in regional peace.

South Korea has conveyed its unease to China regarding the growing speculation that Beijing may be tacitly accepting North Korea's nuclear arsenal. This concern stems from the recent North Korea-China summit, where the phrase 'denuclearization of North Korea' was conspicuously absent from the joint statements, fueling interpretations of a policy shift by China.

South Korea and China are maintaining close communication on issues of mutual interest, and strategic communication on the Korean Peninsula issue took place during this consultation following President Xi Jinping's state visit to North Korea.

โ€” Nam JinSouth Korea's Director-General for Northeast and Central Asia, Nam Jin, speaking to reporters after the consultation with China's Liu Jinsong.

During a ๊ตญ์žฅ๊ธ‰ ํ˜‘์˜ (director-level consultation) in Seoul, Nam Jin, South Korea's Director-General for Northeast and Central Asia, met with Liu Jinsong, China's Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs. Nam expressed hope that the development of North Korea-China relations would contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, urging China to continue playing a constructive role.

I expressed hope that the development of North Korea-China relations can contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and urged the Chinese side to continue playing a constructive role.

โ€” Nam JinSouth Korea's Director-General for Northeast and Central Asia, Nam Jin, detailing his remarks to China's Liu Jinsong.

In response to the "North Korea nuclear condoning theory," the Chinese side reportedly stated that "China's Korean Peninsula policy maintains continuity and stability." This was interpreted as an affirmation that Beijing's stance on denuclearization has not changed, aligning with its long-standing emphasis on denuclearization, peace, stability, and dialogue.

China's Korean Peninsula policy maintains continuity and stability.

โ€” Chinese side (reported)The reported response from the Chinese delegation regarding their policy on North Korea's nuclear program.

The article also touched upon the unresolved schedule for Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to South Korea and South Korea's reaffirmation of its "One China" policy in relation to Taiwan. Discussions also covered issues such as China's West Sea structures and panda conservation, with no mention from China regarding South Korea's nuclear submarine construction or uranium enrichment and reprocessing.

The Chinese side has consistently stated its intention to play a constructive role in stabilizing the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

โ€” South Korean Foreign Ministry officialA South Korean Foreign Ministry official commenting on China's stated position.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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