Jo Tae-yeol – The King’s first phone call… Development of Korea-China relations and discussion of North Korea issues
Empathy for strengthening strategic exchange and communication… Differences of opinion on the Korean Peninsula issue
Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol had his first phone call with Chinese Communist Party Central Political Bureau member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the 6th, during which Wang expressed his wishes for the Korean government.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director Wang said in a phone call that day, “South Korea and China are mutually important neighbors and cooperative partners, and since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the bilateral relationship has achieved rich results.” “I played an active role in pushing it forward,” he said.
Director Wang emphasized, “China’s policy toward Korea maintains stability and continuity, and it views Korea as an important cooperative partner.”
He continued, “(We) encourage Korea to implement an active, objective and friendly policy toward China, maintain the ‘one China principle,’ safeguard the political foundation of Korea-China relations, and push for the return of bilateral relations to a sound and stable development track.” “I hope so,” he said.
Director Wang also said, “The economic connection between Korea and China is very close, and the industrial chain and supply chain are highly integrated.” He added, “Both sides must maintain a smooth industrial chain and supply chain and reject the politicization, pan-security, and instrumentalization of economic issues.” “He pointed out.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Cho said in a phone call, “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Korea-China cooperation has developed dramatically, and Korea-China relations are very important.” He added, “The Korean government attaches great importance to China-China relations, promotes mutual trust with China, and maintains close high-level exchanges.” “We plan to achieve results in the areas of economy and personnel exchange and promote sustainable development of the relationship between the two countries,” he said.
Minister Cho also said, “Korea’s one-China position remains unchanged, and Korea-China economic relations are close,” adding, “Korea opposes securitization of economic and trade issues, and the two sides need communication and cooperation to stabilize the industrial and supply chain.” “I agree that it needs to be strengthened,” he emphasized.
Director Wang said, “Distant relatives are worse than close neighbors,” and added, “I hope that in the Year of the Dragon, the relationship between our two countries will show a new spirit with the ‘Yongma spirit (healthy and vibrant spirit)’ and enter a new phase.”
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Both sides confirmed that the Korea-China strategic cooperation relationship is very important.”
The phone call on this day was the first communication between the foreign ministers of the two countries 26 days after Minister Cho took office on the 11th of last month. This is the first telephone consultation that also serves as an inauguration greeting.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reported, “Minister Cho had a 50-minute phone call with Director Wang that day and discussed issues of mutual interest, including high-level exchanges and supply chain cooperation, Korea-China relations, and North Korea’s nuclear program.”
The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said, “The two ministers agreed that it is important to strengthen strategic exchanges and communication at various levels for the future-oriented development of the relationship between the two countries.” In particular, Minister Cho said that the two countries should minimize elements of conflict and achieve results from cooperation. He emphasized that it is important to build sustainable, qualitative growth based on trust.”
However, it appears that the two sides were unable to narrow their differences over the Korean Peninsula issue.
Minister Cho expressed concern that North Korea has continued to engage in various provocations since the beginning of the year, heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and that it continues to pursue nuclear and missile development and military cooperation with Russia, which are prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions. He urged China to strengthen its constructive role so that North Korea can stop further provocations and take the path of denuclearization.
Minister Cho also conveyed domestic and international concerns about the forcible repatriation of North Korean defectors and requested special cooperation from the Chinese government to ensure that North Korean defectors can go to their desired destinations without being forcibly repatriated to North Korea.
On the other hand, Director Wang pointed out, “There is a reason for the current heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula.”
He also reiterated his fundamental position, saying, “Each of the countries involved must maintain cool-headedness and restraint, refrain from words and actions that escalate tensions, and resolve their respective reasonable concerns through dialogue and negotiations.”
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.