China expresses "serious concern" over ROK-US drills, citing pressure on North Korea as cause of worsening Korean Peninsula situation

On the 14th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "serious concerns" about the South Korea-US joint exercise "Freedom Shield (FS)."

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing that "the situation on the Korean Peninsula is very complex and sensitive, so the relevant parties should exercise restraint and do much to help peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and must not do the opposite."

Spokesperson Wang added, "The issues entangled in the current situation on the Korean Peninsula are clear," emphasizing that "the main cause is that the relevant countries refused to respond to North Korea's denuclearization measures and instead intensified pressure and threats against North Korea."

This supports North Korea's claim that the recent deterioration of the situation on the Korean Peninsula was caused by the United States not taking measures such as easing sanctions when North Korea had refrained from nuclear missile tests for a while two years ago. This stance from the Chinese foreign authorities is notable as it is the first statement made after Chinese President Xi Jinping officially secured a third term on the 10th.

Meanwhile, North Korea continued its provocations by firing two cruise missiles on the 12th, a day before the South Korea-US joint exercise, and again launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on the same day.