China says "Concerns of all countries should be addressed in a balanced way" after North Korea missile launch

Hua Chunying, Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] China stated that after North Korea launched a short-range missile on the 28th, concerns from various countries need to be addressed.

Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing that "China hopes that countries will face each other and walk together to find a balanced way to address 'Ssang-gwae-byeong-jin' (the parallel advancement of the denuclearization process and the North Korea-US peace agreement negotiations) and the concerns of each country, and to promote the political resolution process of the Korean Peninsula issue."

China holds the position that the United States is posing a military threat to North Korea, values North Korea's reasonable concerns, and that these concerns should be resolved.

Regarding Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, who made remarks suggesting that if mutual respect between the South and the North is maintained, discussions on inter-Korean issues such as summits and declarations to end the war can take place, Hua said, "North Korea and South Korea are the same people, and blood is thicker than water."

She added, "China consistently supports North Korea and South Korea improving relations through dialogue and negotiations and promoting reconciliation and cooperation."

Furthermore, she said, "We hope that the two countries will show goodwill to each other, work together, and create an atmosphere to promote the political resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue."