Cause of Omission of 'Korean Peninsula Denuclearization' Joint Goal in Korea-China-Japan Joint Declaration Revealed
"Constructive Efforts Needed from Each Party on Korean Peninsula Issue"
On the 28th, China stated that "there is no change in China's basic position on the Korean Peninsula issue" in response to the absence of the joint goal of "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" in the joint declaration of the 9th Korea-China-Japan Summit held on the 27th.
Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, answered this during a regular briefing when asked, "There is a view that the omission of the denuclearization goal of the Korean Peninsula in this summit's joint statement was due to China's opposition. What is your view on this?"
Unlike the 8th summit in 2019, which clearly declared "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" as a joint goal, the meeting held in Seoul the previous day did not mention the trilateral agreement on North Korea and the North Korean nuclear threat. Some interpret this as revealing a Korea-US-Japan versus North Korea-China-Russia alignment amid escalating US-China tensions.
Regarding the analysis that North Korea's reconnaissance satellite launch the previous day was intended to dampen the cooperative atmosphere among Korea, China, and Japan, and that it violated the UN Security Council's resolutions on North Korea, Mao said, "China has paid close attention to the situation related to North Korea's satellite launch, including statements from the DPRK side and reactions from other parties," adding, "We have always believed that safeguarding peace and stability on the Peninsula and promoting the political resolution process of the Peninsula issue align with the common interests of all parties involved." He continued, "(China) appeals to all parties to make constructive efforts toward this end."
Regarding North Korea's Foreign Ministry's statement the previous day criticizing the Korea-China-Japan joint declaration for mentioning "denuclearization," "peace and stability," etc., Mao said, "China hopes that all parties will uphold the safeguarding of peace and stability on the Peninsula and steadily promote the political resolution process of the Peninsula issue."
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