Wang Yi, head of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister, stated that the decision to engage in dialogue regarding a North Korea-U.S. summit lies with both North Korea and the United States, emphasizing that a change in U.S. policy toward North Korea is necessary.
After a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on August 19, Wang told reporters that the possibility of mediating a North Korea-U.S. summit is a matter for North Korea and the U.S. to decide, adding, "In particular, the U.S. must change its long-standing hostile policy toward North Korea."
This reiterates China's longstanding position that the success of North Korea-U.S. dialogue depends on the judgment of the parties involved, while also calling for a shift in the U.S. approach to North Korea.
The two ministers discussed a wide range of topics, including the state of China-South Korea relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, marking the first in-person meeting between the foreign ministers since their last meeting in Beijing in September 2022.
In his opening remarks, Minister Park emphasized that the recent recovery in China-South Korea relations should contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. He referenced President Lee Jae-myung's proposal for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula during his Liberation Day speech, stating, "The South Korean government will continue to work toward denuclearization and the realization of peace on the Korean Peninsula."
Park also expressed hope for cooperation with China, citing that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are in the mutual interest of both countries.
Wang responded by affirming that China, as a major neighboring country of the Korean Peninsula, will continue to play a constructive role for peace and stability. He expressed hope that both North and South Korea would move toward peaceful coexistence and achieve sustained stability and development on the Peninsula.
Regarding China-South Korea relations, Wang offered a positive assessment, noting that relations have entered a phase of improvement and development since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, which aligns with the interests and expectations of both nations. He also emphasized that maintaining friendly cooperation with China is beneficial for South Korea's national interests.
The meeting likely addressed follow-up actions from previous China-South Korea summits, the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, in November, and potential future diplomatic engagements. Additionally, with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea approaching next year, discussions may have included ways to translate the momentum of restored relations into concrete cooperative outcomes.
Meanwhile, Wang, who is visiting South Korea for the first time in nearly five years since September 2021, is scheduled to meet with President Lee Jae-myung on August 20 and hold discussions and a luncheon with National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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