Park Jin, Wang Yi of China says "Unilateral changes by force are unacceptable"

Foreign Minister Park Jin and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son are having a conversation at the ASEAN+3 (Korea-China-Japan) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on the morning of the 4th at Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Foreign Minister Park Jin stated in front of Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, that "unilateral changes to the status quo by force are unacceptable." This is the first time Minister Park has expressed a specific stance on the US-China conflict surrounding the Taiwan Strait.

According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official on the 5th, Minister Park said at the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, "I would like to talk about some of the most urgent regional and international situations," adding, "In particular, unilateral changes to the status quo by force cannot be tolerated under any circumstances."

He then mentioned the recent most pressing situations, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Taiwan Strait issue, the South China Sea issue, and the Myanmar situation.

In this context, the remarks are interpreted as a check on China, which has been conducting intense military demonstrations following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, also attended this meeting.

Regarding the Taiwan Strait issue, Minister Park expressed "serious concern about the escalating tensions," emphasizing that "South Korea supports the 'One China' policy while also considering peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait important for South Korea and essential for regional security and prosperity."

Furthermore, he stated, "Geopolitical conflicts in the Taiwan Strait, if intensified, could cause significant political and economic instability, including disruptions to supply chains," and "Moreover, the escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait will negatively affect peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, considering North Korea's increasing security threats." He also added, "In this regard, South Korea pays attention to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' statement on the development of cross-strait relations."