Regarding the Chinese side’s indirect expression of dissatisfaction with the South Korean government’s stance with the United States on the reconnaissance balloon issue on the 14th (local time), a high-ranking government official refuted that “the position we have expressed is very principled.” did.
In a meeting with correspondents in Washington DC that day, a high-ranking government official pointed out that “the Chinese side expressed dissatisfaction with the reconnaissance balloon issue and the expression of its position to the South Korean side.” “I couldn’t,” he said after the premise.
The official said, “No country should use such reconnaissance tools to violate the territorial sovereignty of other countries. “We are talking about our position that we oppose this,” he said. The position we have expressed is such a principle,” he emphasized.
This official said, “We can’t tolerate that kind of behavior from a principled point of view and from an international legal point of view, so we fully understand the US position in that regard.”
Earlier, at a joint press conference held immediately after the ROK-US-Japan vice-ministerial meeting on the previous day (13th), First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun-dong said in regards to the Chinese reconnaissance balloon, “We can never tolerate any infringement on the territorial sovereignty of other countries, and we will not tolerate any infringement on the territorial sovereignty of other countries. “We, as allies of the United States, trust what the United States has said publicly on this issue,” he said.
In this regard, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong met with Korean Ambassador to China Jeong Jae-ho on the same day and said that he hoped that the South Korean side would make an objective, rational and fair decision by clearly covering the right and wrong. It is giving birth to an interpretation that it is not.
This official refrained from making any specific comments regarding the sharing of information by the US on China’s reconnaissance balloon issue, and conveyed the atmosphere, saying, “It is a case that has not occurred in the past, so it seems clear that we are looking at the problem seriously.”
He said, “We are not involved or share (information) with us about how the US will resolve this with China, but since the US-China relationship is a strategic relationship that affects the world, (the US side) will manage in any direction on its own. “There are not many countries that want the U.S.-China relationship to deteriorate,” he said.
Regarding the briefing the U.S. side gave to the embassies of about 40 countries in relation to the Chinese reconnaissance balloon, this official said, “I know it wasn’t that specific.”
Regarding whether or not Chinese reconnaissance balloons entered South Korean airspace, he said, “I understand that the Ministry of National Defense has stated that there is no. It seems difficult to say anything else about what was revealed to the Ministry of National Defense, and he said he did not know anything more than that.
He just said, “The balloon flies at a very (high) altitude. In that respect, wouldn’t it be technically difficult to accurately track which country it flew over? did.
Regarding the progress of the discussion on the issue of compensation for forced labor during the Japanese occupation of Korea and Japan, a high-ranking official presumed that “(the forced labor issue) is a sensitive and difficult issue to resolve,” and then said, “Even if there is some progress before the overall picture comes out, there will be some progress.” There are parts that are difficult to talk about,” he said.
At the same time, he said, “Since we are expecting the ministerial level (consultation) following the director-general level and vice-ministerial level, our hope is to reach a conclusion in the near future through such a process.”
Regarding the possibility of holding a summit meeting following the ministerial meeting between Korea and Japan, he explained that “a bilateral summit visit between Korea and Japan has not been held since former President Lee Myung-bak’s visit to Japan in 2011.” Resolving the issue well is the way to the next step, so we haven’t reached the stage where we can discuss the summit separately yet,” he said.
When asked whether the results of the Korea-Japan talks, such as forced labor, were shared with the US, this high-ranking official said, “The US has nothing to do with or intervene in the discussions between Korea and Japan.” However, they share a trend that is generally going in this direction.”
Regarding the promotion of President Yoon Seok-yeol’s visit to the United States, this official said, “Close discussions are underway with the US side, and we will be able to announce it as soon as it is confirmed.” Since we are in charge directly, we have nothing more to say at this stage.”
Regarding North Korea’s preparations for the 7th nuclear test, he said, “The prospects for the possibility of North Korea’s provocation and nuclear test have not changed much from a few months ago and now.” It was introduced that it had shared with the US a preliminary evaluation related to the disclosure of the .
Regarding the strategic report of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in which Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman explained the need for South Korea to participate in the “Quad Plus,” which expanded the “Quad” (US, Japan, Australia, and India) to contain China, this official said, “In a new format, Regarding the mention of being open, he said, “If we can participate in a consultative body that we are not participating in, there is a desirable aspect.”
He just said, “We are in a situation where we are watching the review and position of the US side because it may not be politically or diplomatically appropriate for us to say ‘please insert’.”
Regarding the issue of aid to Ukraine, this official said, “The United States wants many countries to provide maximum assistance to Ukraine.” We are trying to do our best to contribute within the scope.”
On the other hand, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun-dong said at a meeting with correspondents that “Korea-US-Japan cooperation is being promoted more vigorously than ever” while mentioning that the Korea-US-Japan Vice-Ministerial Meeting was held for the third time under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.
“The trilateral cooperation between Korea, the US and Japan is a key part of our Indo-Pacific strategy,” he said. “The three countries decided to deepen Korea-US-Japan cooperation based on their respective Indo-Pacific strategies.
(Washington = News 1)
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.