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White House amid controversy over Chinese reconnaissance, “I will do my part for a strong alliance”

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The White House announced that it will work to strengthen the ROK-US alliance in the face of strengthening China’s reconnaissance activities, including reconnaissance balloons.

According to the Voice of America (VOA), National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator John Kirby said in an online briefing on the 6th (local time), “We will do what we have to do to ensure that our allies are strong and active.” .

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Previously, in the United States, on the 28th of last month, a Chinese reconnaissance balloon entered Alaskan airspace, moved to Canada, and then returned to the US mainland. The US authorities shot down the balloon by mobilizing fighter jets on the 4th.

In addition, on the Korean Peninsula, Chinese military aircraft invaded the Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) ahead of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Korea at the end of last month. In response, a question came up during the briefing whether these activities were a challenge to the ROK-US alliance.

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“I can’t comment on any specific reconnaissance operations that China may be carrying out on the Korean Peninsula,” Kirby said. “I don’t have any information about that.”

At the same time, he stressed that the ROK-US alliance must be sufficient to defend not only their own country, but also South Korea’s national security interests and the USFK.

On the other hand, Coordinator Kirby pointed out that “clearly, this incident did not help the process” regarding the impact of the Chinese reconnaissance balloon incident on US-China relations. “It did not help improve bilateral relations between the United States,” he said.

In addition, regarding the cancellation of Secretary of State Tony Blincoln’s visit to China, he said, “It was not appropriate for Secretary Blincoln to visit Beijing in a situation where an outrageous invasion of our sovereign airspace occurred.”

Regarding the shooting down of his country’s balloon, he explained, “President Joe Biden exercised his authority and orders in accordance with international law to protect our sovereign airspace and homeland.”

“There is no reason for the tension in our bilateral relations to escalate into a kind of dispute,” he said. “We will definitely continue our flights, navigation and operations in accordance with international law.”

According to him, the Chinese reconnaissance balloon discovered this time was equipped with a propeller and a rudder and could control its direction and speed.

[워싱턴=뉴시스]

Source: Donga

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