Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Park Myong-ho meeting in Beijing on the 18th./Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
On the 18th, when North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the East Sea, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Park Myong-ho in Beijing and expressed support and trust in North Korea. North Korea’s missile launch is a direct violation of the UN Security Council resolution, but rather than condemning it, China, a permanent member of the Security Council, actually tolerated it by showing close contact with North Korea.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi said at the meeting this morning, “The traditional friendship between China and North Korea is a valuable common asset of both parties, cultivated directly by the senior leaders of both parties and the two countries,” and “It is the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries in recent years.” “With this interest, the traditional friendship between China and North Korea is shining even brighter in the new era,” he said. He went on to say, “In the face of an international situation filled with conflict, China and North Korea have always firmly supported and trusted each other,” adding, “China has always viewed China-North Korea relations from a strategic high and long-term perspective.” He also emphasized, “Let us continue to steadily develop the friendly and cooperative relationship between China and North Korea by holding a series of events to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year.” Regarding this, Park Myung-ho said, “It is the firm position of the North Korean party and government to continue to deepen the development of North Korea-China relations.” North Korea launched an ICBM from the Pyongyang area into the East Sea at 8:24 a.m. that day.
It is not known whether North Korea’s ICBM launch was discussed at the meeting, but it is pointed out that Wang Yi emphasized China’s friendship with North Korea and effectively condoned the launch. The fact that China’s diplomatic commander, who is at the level of deputy prime minister, met in person with North Korea’s vice minister is interpreted as a message that China values North Korea.
At its regular briefing this afternoon, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributed North Korea’s ICBM launch to strengthening security cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan. Regarding the ICBM launch, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Won-bin said, “The issues on the Korean Peninsula are complexly intertwined,” and added, “Trying to resolve the problem through pressure through military deterrence will not work. It will only backfire, intensify conflict, and heighten tension.” did.
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2023-12-18 08:16:11
