Jeong Eui-yong: "Many perceive China as coercive, but it is not so for us"

"Clarifying the Background of 'China Is Not Aggressive' Statement"
"North Korea Wants More Than Humanitarian Cooperation"
"US Also Agrees on the Need for a Declaration of the End of the War"

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong is holding a bilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu in New York, USA, on the 23rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong actively refuted criticism that he was siding with China’s position. Minister Chung said that North Korea hopes for more than humanitarian aid, and discussions are ongoing with the United States, while continuous dialogue with Japan will be maintained for a future-oriented relationship.

On the 23rd (local time), at a press briefing held at the Korean Mission to the United Nations, Minister Chung called media reports about his remark that China is not assertive "unfair." He argued that the reports only looked at a part of his statement without considering the full context.

The day before, at a discussion hosted by the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, he said, "China is not the same as 20 years ago" and "It is natural as it is becoming economically stronger," expressing disagreement with the characterization of China as assertive.

Minister Chung also explained that his remarks were made in response to questions about the formation of pro-China and anti-China blocs.

He said, "That perspective is wrong. That is a Cold War mindset," and requested that his entire statement be reviewed.

Minister Chung asserted, "If we think our influence has grown, we can also make assertive claims. Not only China, but Japan can do so as well."

He added, "There must be a democratic order in relations between countries. No matter how powerful a country is, it should not impose its position." He mentioned, "There is an international perception that the Chinese government is coercive, and we will convey such concerns to China, but they do not act coercively toward us."

Minister Chung also said, "There was damage from THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), but we have conveyed our dissatisfaction to China and continue to make efforts."

He further introduced, "Although there are many analyses that the Quad is an anti-China alliance, the U.S. officially states that it is not an anti-China bloc, and our government’s basic position is not to join any bloc that excludes specific countries."

When asked whether humanitarian aid to North Korea was discussed with the U.S., he said, "We have had considerable discussions, but it seems North Korea expects more than humanitarian cooperation. We are considering with the U.S. what that is and how we can respond," emphasizing, "Maintaining the status quo is not enough for the Korean Peninsula issue and denuclearization. Over time, the situation will only worsen," and stressed the need for action.

Minister Chung explained that the test launch of our submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was a measure to alleviate public security concerns.

He said, "Since the Moon Jae-in administration took office, the defense budget has increased, significantly strengthening our self-defense and deterrence capabilities against North Korea, but most of the defense enhancement projects were not disclosed. The SLBM was revealed to dispel the public perception that the Moon administration was pro-North Korea and to ease security concerns."

Regarding the declaration of the end of the war advocated by President Moon at the UN General Assembly, Minister Chung said the U.S. also sympathizes considerably and added, "We do not take North Korea’s sporadic reactions seriously."

Minister Chung reported that his meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu in the morning lasted 50 minutes, exceeding the originally scheduled 20 minutes, and that the atmosphere of the dialogue was good. He stated that Japan maintains the stance that past history issues and economic retaliation are not matters to be linked, acknowledging that the positions between the two countries remain tense.

However, Minister Chung introduced that continuous dialogue will be maintained not only at the ministerial level but also at the director-general and working-level levels between Korea and Japan.

Minister Chung said that Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, conveyed during his visit to Korea that China intends to apply for membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and that Korea is also positively considering joining the CPTPP.