China recently explained to South Korea that the focus of North Korea-China relations is on economic cooperation rather than political ties. This clarification follows high-level exchanges between the two countries, including North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit to China and Kim Song Nam's trip to Beijing.
On November 13, Wang Yi, a member of the Central Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister, discussed the recent developments in North Korea-China relations during a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin in Beijing.
The Chinese side referenced Kim Jong Un's visit to Dandong last month and Kim Song Nam's visit to China earlier this month. Wang noted that he accompanied Kim Jong Un during his trip to Dandong on October 24 and met with Kim Song Nam on November 5.
A South Korean official indicated that the Chinese explanation emphasized economic cooperation over political and diplomatic exchanges. The South Korean side received a relatively detailed account of recent interactions between the two countries.
Regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the possibility of a North Korea-U.S. summit was also discussed. South Korean diplomatic officials stated that while the possibility of such a summit cannot be entirely ruled out, the current likelihood appears low, according to the Chinese perspective. The success of a North Korea-U.S. summit depends on the willingness of U.S. President Donald Trump, the political and diplomatic situation in the U.S., and North Korea's receptiveness.
The South Korean government conveyed to China that the interests of South Korea, as a party directly involved in the Korean Peninsula issue, should not be excluded. Particularly, with discussions about potential meetings among leaders of the U.S., China, and Russia during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, South Korea emphasized that the Korean Peninsula issue should not be resolved through agreements among major powers excluding South Korea.
A South Korean official clearly communicated to China the concern that even if a meeting among the leaders of the U.S., China, and Russia takes place, it should not resemble the Yalta Conference of 1945, where major powers discussed post-war international order.
Additionally, South Korea's position that discussions should not recognize North Korea as a nuclear power or move against the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula was also understood by the Chinese side.
During the meeting, issues such as anti-China sentiment in South Korea and China's construction of structures in the Yellow Sea were also discussed. Both sides agreed to continue cooperation to achieve tangible improvements in relations that the public can feel, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China next year.
Furthermore, the two countries plan to prepare for a meeting between their leaders during the APEC summit based on the issues discussed in this meeting.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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