China Responds to Kim Jong Un's 'No Denuclearization' Remark: "Hopes for Efforts by Parties to Ease Tensions"

No Statement on Denuclearization Policy

Regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's statement that "denuclearization is impossible," China, North Korea's closest ally, responded with a principled comment, stating that "efforts from all parties are needed to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula."

During a regular briefing on the 22nd, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiaqun responded to a question about Kim's remarks by saying, "China has taken note of the developments and changes in the situation on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "Safeguarding peace and stability on the peninsula and promoting the political resolution process of the peninsula issue serve the common interests of all parties."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un strictly analyzed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and its surroundings at the Supreme People's Assembly on the 21st, declaring the principled stance of the Republic's government toward the United States and South Korea, reported Korean Central Television on the 22nd. Korean Central Television screen Yonhap News Agency

Spokesperson Guo further stated, "We hope that the parties concerned will face the core issues and root causes of the peninsula problem and adhere to the broader direction of a political resolution," adding, "We hope efforts will be made to ease the tense situation and safeguard regional peace and stability."

The use of the term "parties concerned" without specifying any country can be interpreted as broadening the scope of responsibility for the current tensions on the Korean Peninsula to include South Korea and the United States.

China has consistently reiterated the need for efforts by all parties on the Korean Peninsula whenever North Korea has conducted missile provocations. In March last year, Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (also serving as Foreign Minister), reaffirmed at a press conference with domestic and foreign journalists the "dual-track approach" (pursuing denuclearization and a North Korea-U.S. peace agreement simultaneously) and the principle of phased and synchronized steps as the "prescription for the Korean Peninsula issue."

However, at the 9th South Korea-China-Japan summit held in Seoul two months later, unlike the 8th summit in 2019 where "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" was declared a joint goal, the three countries did not mention any agreement regarding North Korea or the North Korean nuclear threat.

In response to foreign media reports at the time that the omission of "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" from the joint goals was due to China's opposition, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated, "China's fundamental position on the Korean Peninsula issue has not changed." However, since then, China has not publicly mentioned "denuclearization."

The previous day, at the 13th session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un stated that "nuclear possession" is already enshrined in the constitution, declaring, "Let me be clear: for us, there can never, ever be such a thing as 'denuclearization.'"

He further emphasized, "The world already knows well what the United States does after forcing a country to give up its nuclear weapons and disarm. There will be no such negotiations as trading something with hostile nations in exchange for lifting sanctions, and there never will be in the future."

Kim also stated, "Personally, I have good memories of former U.S. President Trump," and added, "If the United States abandons its unrealistic obsession with denuclearization and seeks genuine peaceful coexistence with us based on an acceptance of reality, there is no reason why we cannot stand face-to-face with the United States."