South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait after President Moon Jae-in’s visit to the United States.
“It is true that the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait is very important for the peace and stability of the region,” Chung said in an interview on May 24. Yonhap News AgencyHe said such facts, albeit in many general terms, were expressed in a joint summit statement issued by the United States and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
Chung also said that the issues of the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan were juxtaposed, and that both needed a peaceful solution, hoping that China would understand South Korea’s attitude toward Taiwan.
His remarks were seen as a reaction to Beijing’s reaction to the US-Korea joint statement.
Chinese ambassador Xing Haiming disapproved on May 24, claiming that China was aware that part of the statement was targeted at Beijing because it touched on sensitive issues related to the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. Was expressed.
After that, Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, expressed concern about the contents of the summit meeting, and Beijing said that there was “no foreign interference” on the Taiwan issue.
President Moon Jane visited the United States for three days starting May 21, and met Joe Biden to commemorate his second visit to the White House following Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in April. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance between the two countries.
At a joint press conference, Biden said the 70-year alliance between the United States and South Korea would be essential for the future of the Indo-Pacific region and the world.
On Taiwan’s issues, the two leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait in the first joint summit statement that Taiwan was included in such a declaration.
When asked, Moon said Biden did not pressure him to take a stricter stance on China’s stance on Taiwan. “But we agreed on how important the region is for peace and stability in the Straits of Taiwan. We decided to tackle this issue more closely in the future, especially considering the characteristics of China and Taiwan.” Stated.
Mentioned freedom of navigation and human rights, China was hinted at, but could not speak out.
The data show that South Korea’s economy is heavily dependent on China. In 2019, East Asian countries will export more than $ 136 billion to China, accounting for a quarter of their total exports. Myung Whun Lee, Senior Fellow of Carnegie’s Asia Program, and a security expert in South Korea and Northeast Asia.
However, he said Koreans are increasingly being repelled by China’s extreme nationalism and the enforcement of national security legislation against Hong Kong. He added that three-quarters of South Koreans have a negative view of China compared to less than one-third of 2002.
Seoul-based President Moon Jae-in’s approval rating reached a record low of 33% as of May 3 since taking office in 2017. Korea Times..
Caden Pearson contributed to this report.