His comments reiterated the government stance on Chinese media strongly criticizing the joint decision by Seoul and Washington to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here to counter evolving threats from North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. (image: Wikimedia)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea is keeping close tabs on the strong-worded media response from China and its possible retaliatory measures against Seoul’s plan to deploy a United States missile defense system on the peninsula, a top diplomat said Friday.
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, however, emphasized that it is important to work in a way to resolve any conflict with Beijing through a broad framework of diplomatic relations with the neighboring country.
“The government is keeping a close watch on the recent response from Chinese media related to THAAD and a series of other measures,” Yun told a group of reporters.
“We shouldn’t make a hasty determination but should work toward resolving this issue in a smooth manner from the perspective of Korea-China relations in which we deal with a large country,” he added.
His comments reiterated the government stance on Chinese media strongly criticizing the joint decision by Seoul and Washington to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here to counter evolving threats from North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
Beijing has objected to the move on concerns that it could hurt its strategic security interests.
On Wednesday, the People’s Daily, the official mouthpiece of China’s Communist Party, said in an editorial that South Korea will be the first target if there is a clash between China and the United States.
Also, in what many see as retaliatory action against the planned THAAD deployment, China recently revoked the license of a key Chinese visa agency, making it harder for South Koreans to obtain multiple-entry visas. China said that it has nothing to do with THAAD.
Yun said that the government will keep making clear its position on THAAD through diverse chances and channels so as to make China understand why the weapon system has to be stationed on the peninsula.
“(We) will clarify our position on THAAD on diverse occasions going forward, and such a process aimed at making it (China) understand will continue,” he said.
Touching on issues related to North Korea, Yun said that Pyongyang’s isolation from the international community has deepened since its nuclear test earlier this year, citing toughened sanctions subsequently adopted by the United Nations Security Council and individual countries.
A case in point is that North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho tried to visit other Asian countries after attending Asia-Pacific countries’ meetings held in Laos last week, but all of his attempts were turned down, he said.
Yun expected that the North will likely intensify its diplomatic drive in the months to come, a sign that will show how desperate Pyongyang has become to move out of ever-worsening isolation.
As for South Korea and its diplomatic landscape, he said that things have been as “hot” as the currently sizzling weather and that they will likely stay that way “for the time being,” suggesting that many challenges might remain for the country.
(Yonhap)
