[서울=뉴스핌] Senior Reporter Lee Young-tae = On the 18th (local time), the President’s Office emphasized the importance of Korea-China relations, saying that diplomatic strategy has not changed in response to President Yoon Seok-yeol’s statement that one side cannot be chosen in the conflict between the United States and China.
A senior official from the President’s Office met with reporters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the G20 summit is being held, and responded to a question about the development strategy for Korea-China relations by saying, “Continuing high-level consultation and communication is the most important thing.”
Regarding President Yoon’s interview with local media in Brazil, this official said, “For two and a half years, our (diplomatic) strategy has never changed. It is a diplomacy that values our national interests, and national interests are first, securing security, and second, our “The goal is to secure economic benefits so that people can eat well and live well,” he emphasized.
“It is not correct to say whether ideological diplomacy has changed from pragmatic diplomacy,” he said. “Some issues need to be discussed in depth first with our ally, the United States, and there will be many such issues. However, our relationship with China will also be mutually beneficial to the extent we can.” “We have been working together to develop Korea-China relations,” he said.
In a written interview with Brazilian daily newspapers ‘U Globu’ and ‘Polya de São Paulo’ on this day, President Yoon said, “The ROK-US alliance is a ‘comprehensive global strategic alliance’ that shares values, interests, and global vision, and with China as our largest trading partner. “We are developing a ‘strategic cooperative partnership,’” he said.
Regarding the possibility of conflict between the United States and China, he said, “I hope that the relationship between the United States and China will develop in a direction that contributes to the peace and prosperity of the international community, and in the process, Korea will cooperate closely with both the United States and China.” “It’s not a matter of having to choose between the two,” he said.
Regarding this, some have interpreted that the diplomatic stance of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is shifting from U.S.-centered value diplomacy to balanced diplomacy between the U.S. and China.
An official from the President’s Office denied this interpretation, but said, “Our country is always concerned about the relationship between Korea and China. It is encouraging that high-level dialogue has become faster, more frequent, and deeper since last May. In the future, the two countries will negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA), “We plan to achieve concrete results through trade cooperation and human and cultural exchanges,” he explained.
Previously, President Yoon held a summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Lima, Peru, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit was held on the 15th (local time). It has been two years since the Korea-China summit was held on the occasion of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia in November 2022.
At this event, President Yoon invited President Xi to Korea, saying, “I hope that the two countries will substantially develop a strategic cooperative partnership based on mutual respect, mutual benefit, and common interests.” President Xi is expected to visit Korea for the first time in 11 years next year at the Gyeongju APEC summit.
How might President Yoon Seok-yeol’s emphasis on Korea-China relations shape diplomatic ties and expectations in the region?
1. In response to President Yoon Seok-yeol’s statement that “there is no need to choose between the United States and China,” the President’s Office has emphasized the importance of Korea-China relations. What are your thoughts on this statement and how do you see it impacting Korea’s diplomatic strategy going forward?
2. Given the potential conflicts between the United States and China, how do you think Korea can maintain a balanced and mutually beneficial relationship with both countries?
3. Some people have interpreted the Yoon Seok-yeol administration’s recent statements as a shift towards balanced diplomacy between the US and China. How do you respond to this interpretation, and what is the current administration’s stance on value-centered diplomacy?
4. Could you expand on the ongoing efforts to develop Korea-China relations, particularly in regards to the potential free trade agreement and trade cooperation?
5. The President’s Office mentioned that high-level consultation and communication are essential for Korea-China relations. How do you plan to maintain this dialogue, and what steps are being taken to ensure that these discussions are productive and effective?
6. President Yoon recently invited President Xi Jinping to visit Korea next year at the Gyeongju APEC summit. What are your expectations for this visit, and how do you see it contributing to the further development of Korea-China relations?
