Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense from Both Countries Meet in Seoul
Government Raises Issues from Putin's North Korea Visit to Forced Repatriation
"Regularizing Diplomatic and Security Dialogue While Maintaining Cooperation Momentum"
Amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea, the 'Korea-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue' expressed deep concern over Putin's visit while North Korea continues its provocations.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense on the 19th, the Korea-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue was held in Seoul the previous afternoon. This is a '2+2 dialogue consultative body' involving vice minister-level officials from the foreign and defense ministries of both countries. On our side, Kim Hong-gyun, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Lee Seung-beom, Director of International Policy at the Ministry of National Defense, attended, while China was represented by Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the International Military Cooperation Office of the Central Military Commission.
On the 18th, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul, during the 'Korea-China Diplomatic Security Dialogue,' the chief representatives from both sides, Kim Hong-gyun, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, posed for a commemorative photo. From left to right: Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the International Military Cooperation Office of the Central Military Commission of China; Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China; Kim Hong-gyun, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; Lee Seung-beom, Director of International Policy at the Ministry of National Defense. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Our side expressed concern over President Putin's visit to North Korea. We pointed out that he is visiting North Korea amid a series of provocations that escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula, including ballistic missile launches, the release of contaminated balloons, and GPS jamming attacks. North Korea and Russia plan to elevate their bilateral relations to the level of a 'comprehensive strategic partnership' on the occasion of Putin's visit. The government firmly stated its position that Putin's visit should not undermine peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula or lead to strengthened military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
Furthermore, we emphasized that such issues run counter to China's interests and urged the Chinese government to play a 'constructive role' in ensuring peace, stability, and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. We also conveyed domestic and international concerns regarding the repeated forced repatriation of North Korean defectors. We requested the Chinese government’s special cooperation to ensure that defectors are not forcibly returned but can go to their desired destinations. The Chinese side reaffirmed that its policy toward the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged and responded that it will play a constructive role in resolving the Korean Peninsula issue.
On the 18th, the 'Korea-China Diplomatic Security Dialogue' is being held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
During the dialogue, both sides discussed overall mutual interests including Korea-China bilateral relations, the Korean Peninsula issue, and regional and international situations. They evaluated the recent activation of high-level exchanges such as the Korea-Japan-China summit and the Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting, agreeing to leverage this momentum of exchanges and cooperation to develop Korea-China relations in a healthier and more mature direction. They also agreed to steadily implement various exchange and practical cooperation projects agreed upon in recent high-level exchanges such as the 1.5-track dialogue and the deputy foreign ministers' strategic dialogue.
A government official stated, "This Korea-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue was evaluated as an open and frank communication on various current issues," adding, "Both sides agreed to hold diplomatic and security dialogues regularly in the future."
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