The South Korean foreign ministry restated its commitment to denuclearizing North Korea after a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not address the nuclear issue. Despite the summit’s focus on expanding cooperation in various fields, the topic of denuclearization was notably absent. The South Korean foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized that international efforts towards denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula remain steadfast.
China’s consistent stance on Korean Peninsula issues was highlighted by the South Korean foreign ministry, noting the shared objective of denuclearizing North Korea between the United States and China. The ministry expressed optimism that recent exchanges and cooperation between North Korea and China, including Xi’s visit to Pyongyang, would contribute to peace and stability in the region. Meanwhile, South Korea’s unification ministry is closely monitoring Chinese President Xi Jinping’s call for enhanced military cooperation with North Korea, a topic raised publicly for the first time.
At the summit, Xi Jinping reiterated China’s commitment to bolstering relations with North Korea across various sectors, including the economy, trade, military, science, and healthcare. While North Korea’s media did not mention military cooperation, the presence of Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun during the summit raised speculation about Beijing’s intentions. The absence of discussions on North Korea’s nuclear programs or the broader Korean Peninsula situation was met with caution, suggesting that such sensitive topics might have been addressed privately.
