South Korean media: Lee Jae-myung does not participate in G7 core mineral supply chain declaration… Diplomatic circles: awareness of China's choice

¬ South Korea fully and publicly reaffirms the Taiwan-related statement in the joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations with China; China gives positive evaluation

¬ South Korea expresses concern over claims regarding "China tacitly allowing North Korea to possess nuclear weapons"

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Analysis suggests: "a strategic sacrifice considering high dependence on China’s supply chain structure"

It is reported that during the G7 summit held in Évian-les-Bains, France, the "Declaration on Stabilizing Core Mineral Supply Chains" was adopted. However, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung did not sign it. A total of eight documents were adopted at the G7 summit, and President Lee signed seven of them—only the "Declaration on Stabilizing Core Mineral Supply Chains" remained unsigned. Although the document does not explicitly name China, it is widely perceived as targeting China’s regulation of rare earth exports. The G7 members and Australia signed the document, while South Korea, Brazil, India, Egypt, and Kenya did not sign.

In response, the Blue House stated: "Although South Korea did not participate in the declaration, we support the G7’s efforts to achieve diversification of core mineral supply chains and build resilient supply chains." Analysts believe that despite the Blue House claiming South Korea has developed extensive alternative supply chains—making its situation different from others—the decision not to sign was actually driven by awareness of China.

The content of the G7’s "Declaration on Stabilizing Core Mineral Supply Chains" includes reducing excessive reliance on specific countries in the production and processing of core minerals, enhancing supply chain diversification and transparency. Diplomatic circles view this declaration as a signal aimed at China—“building a supply chain decoupled from China.”

Currently, South Korea’s core industries such as secondary batteries and semiconductors are highly dependent on Chinese-produced minerals and materials. The government may have feared that full participation in this declaration would provoke strong opposition and trade retaliation from China, inevitably causing economic disruption.

The Blue House expressed a cautious stance on not signing the document, stating: "We support the G7’s efforts toward diversifying core minerals and building resilient supply chains." Public opinion generally views this as a pragmatic diplomatic strategy reflecting realpolitik considerations regarding relations with China.

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On the evening of June 18, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson answered reporters’ questions regarding South Korea’s Foreign Ministry official’s full and public reiteration of the Taiwan-related provision in the joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, expressing a positive evaluation.

A journalist asked: On June 18, South Korea’s Director General for Northeast Asia and Central Asia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nam Jin, told journalists that the joint communiqué on establishing diplomatic relations between China and South Korea states, “The Government of the Republic of Korea acknowledges the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China and respects China’s position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China.” South Korea’s position remains unchanged. What is China’s comment?

In response, the spokesperson said: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, in an interview with Chinese media ahead of his visit to China in January this year, stated, “The fundamental relationship between South Korea and China was established at the outset of diplomatic relations with clear, basic principles. The South Korean government has consistently adhered to this position without deviation. Regarding the most crucial concern for China—Taiwan—the South Korean side will continue to respect the one-China principle.” During his state visit to China, he further affirmed that South Korea respects China’s core interests and major concerns and upholds the one-China principle.

The spokesperson added that South Korea’s Director General for Northeast Asia and Central Asia has now fully and publicly reiterated the Taiwan-related clause in the joint communiqué on establishing diplomatic relations between China and South Korea: “The Government of the Republic of Korea acknowledges the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China and respects China’s position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China.” China welcomes this move and gives it a positive evaluation. We hope and trust that South Korea will uphold the original intent of establishing diplomatic relations, honor its political commitments, act in accordance with the one-China principle, and safeguard the political foundation of China-South Korea relations.

On June 17, Liu Jinsong, Director of the Department of Asian Affairs at China’s Foreign Ministry, held routine working consultations in Seoul with Nam Jin, the newly appointed Director General of the Northeast Asia and Central Asia Bureau at South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern, agreeing to actively implement important consensus reached during the visits of the two heads of state, and to work together to ensure the steady development of the strategic partnership between China and South Korea. Nam Jin reiterated South Korea’s commitment to the one-China principle as stipulated in the joint communiqué on establishing diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, emphasizing that this position has not changed. Liu welcomed this reaffirmation and expressed hope and confidence that South Korea will recall the original purpose of establishing diplomatic ties, take concrete actions to uphold the one-China principle, and safeguard the political foundation of China-South Korea relations.

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According to Yonhap News Agency, speculation about “China effectively tolerating North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons” has been spreading due to China’s recent lack of public reaffirmation of its stance on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The South Korean government has conveyed concerns to China, stating that such arguments are detrimental to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

On June 18, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that on June 17, Nam Jin, Director General for Northeast Asia and Central Asia, held a senior-level consultation with Liu Jinsong, Director of the Department of Asian Affairs at China’s Foreign Ministry, during which they exchanged views primarily on the North Korean nuclear issue and other matters of mutual concern.

On that day, Nam Jin said both sides conducted strategic communication on the Korean Peninsula issue. He emphasized that South Korea expects developments in China-North Korea relations to contribute to peace and stability on the Peninsula and urged China to continue playing a constructive role.

On June 8, leaders of China and North Korea held talks in Pyongyang, but no mention of denuclearization was made publicly, fueling speculation. However, internal assessments within South Korea suggest that China’s position on the Peninsula issue remains consistent and stable. China continues to uphold peace and stability on the Peninsula, insists on achieving denuclearization of the Peninsula, and advocates resolving issues through dialogue and consultation.

Additionally, according to information released by the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, on June 17, Liu Jinsong held routine working consultations in Seoul with Nam Jin, exchanging views on China-South Korea relations and issues of mutual concern. Both sides agreed to actively implement key consensus reached during the visits of the two heads of state, aiming to ensure the steady development of their strategic partnership. Nam Jin reiterated South Korea’s commitment to the one-China principle as outlined in the joint communiqué on establishing diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, stressing that this position remains unchanged. Liu welcomed this reaffirmation and expressed hope and confidence that South Korea will remember the original intent behind establishing diplomatic ties, act concretely to uphold the one-China principle, and safeguard the political foundation of China-South Korea relations.

Source: sputniknews

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1868380624948227/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author