The South Korean government has maintained its critical stance regarding China’s reconnaissance balloon controversy.
A high-ranking government official met with reporters on the 14th (local time) and said, “The position we have expressed is in principle.
Earlier, Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong, who was visiting the United States, said in a joint press conference after the Korea-US-Japan vice-ministerial talks the previous day that “acts that violate other countries’ territorial sovereignty are absolutely unacceptable” regarding the Chinese reconnaissance balloon controversy.
Afterwards, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said regarding the scouting balloon issue, “We hope that the South Korean side will make an objective, rational and fair decision by clearly covering the right and wrong.” It was interpreted as an indirect expression of dissatisfaction with Ambassador Cho’s remarks.
However, a high-ranking government official emphasized, “Even if it is not China, any country can be criticized for such actions.”
Regarding the sharing of information with the South Korean government related to the reconnaissance balloon, he said, “There is a part explained to us by the US side,” but reserved his words, saying, “It is difficult to share this externally.”
This official said, “(The US side) is looking at this case seriously because it has not happened in the past.” It means the cancellation of Secretary of State Tony Blincoln’s visit to China.
An official said, “This means that the US is taking it seriously,” and added, “Since such an act cannot be tolerated even from a principled and international legal point of view, we are in a situation where we fully understand the US position in that respect.”
He added, however, that “we are not involved or (the US) share with us how the US resolves this with China.”
“The relationship between the US and China is a strategic relationship that has a global impact,” said the official.
“(The US side) is expected to manage it in any direction,” the official stressed. “Many countries are watching, and few countries want the US-China relationship to deteriorate.”
In the same context, he said, “We are also watching with interest,” and continued, “We expect the United States to make efforts in that respect.”
[워싱턴=뉴시스]
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.