North Korea: "US Interference in Taiwan Contains Risk of Heightening Tensions on the Korean Peninsula"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 23rd, North Korea expressed support for China in the US-China conflict over the Taiwan issue and claimed that the US policy on Taiwan could also pose a threat to the Korean Peninsula.

In a statement, Vice Foreign Minister Park Myung-ho said, "The situation in Taiwan is by no means unrelated to the situation on the Korean Peninsula," and "The reckless interference of the United States in the Taiwan issue contains potential risks that could further escalate the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula," according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the same day.

Vice Minister Park explained, "It is well known that US troops and military bases stationed in South Korea are being used to pressure China, and the vast military forces of the United States and its followers gathered around Taiwan can be deployed in military operations targeting us at any time."

He added, "Although the United States outwardly adheres to the 'One China' policy, in reality, it is using Taiwan as a tool to pressure China and as a forward base to suppress China in case of emergency," and stated that "the actions of the United States are blatant interference in the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and a serious threat to international peace and stability," expressing support for China's position.