[Press Conference] "Both South Korea-US and South Korea-China Relations Are Important... Efforts for Xi Jinping's Early Visit to Korea"

"South Korea-US Relations as a 'Special Alliance,' Expanding into Various Fields" Evaluation
"South Korea-China Relations, Largest Trading Partner, Enhancing Korean Peninsula Peace and COVID-19 Cooperation"

On the 18th, citizens are watching the live broadcast of President Moon Jae-in's New Year's press conference in the waiting room of Seoul Station. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] "For us, both the South Korea-US relationship and the South Korea-China relationship are important. Regarding COVID-19, I believe that joint infectious disease cooperation is necessary across the entire Northeast Asia region, including North Korea, China, and Japan."

President Moon Jae-in made these remarks on the morning of the 18th at a New Year's press conference held in a hybrid format of in-person and virtual attendance at the Chuncheon Press Center in the Blue House. With the new Biden administration's inauguration approaching and the diplomatic and security landscape in Northeast Asia drawing intense attention, he reaffirmed South Korea's stance toward both the United States and China.

Regarding the South Korea-US relationship, he emphasized it as a "special alliance" and evaluated that it is expanding into various fields. President Moon said, "The South Korea-US relationship is a special alliance in terms of diplomacy and security," adding, "It is developing into a comprehensive alliance that extends beyond diplomacy and security to cooperation in various fields such as economy, culture, health cooperation, and climate change."

Regarding the South Korea-China relationship, he highlighted China as the largest trading partner and pledged to realize an early visit to South Korea by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which was not realized last year due to COVID-19.

President Moon stated, "(China is) the largest trading partner and we must cooperate to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "Recently, cooperation in the environmental sector has also become very important. Therefore, we will continue to make efforts to develop the South Korea-China relationship."

He continued, "President Xi's visit was once planned last year but could not be realized due to the worsening COVID-19 situation," and said, "We will strive to enable an early visit as soon as the COVID-19 situation stabilizes and conditions are met this year."

He also added the intention to strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries such as North Korea, Japan, and China through the "Northeast Asia Infectious Disease and Health Cooperation Body" mentioned in the New Year's address on the 11th.

President Moon explained, "Not only China but also Japan, North Korea, and if necessary, the entire Northeast Asia region need joint cooperation not only on human infectious diseases but also on livestock infectious diseases such as avian influenza, African swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease," adding, "We will pay even more attention to cooperation with China and work to develop it further."