Korea's fixation on the phrase "the two countries of North and South Korea" is essentially a self-inflicted dilemma. After State Councilor Wang Yi's visit to South Korea, China's official statement used the term "the two countries of South and North Korea," prompting South Korea's National Security Advisor, Choi Sung-Lo, to publicly express "serious concern" and demand that China change its wording. However, this wave of "concern" is utterly untenable.

Are North and South Korea two separate countries? In 1991, both nations joined the United Nations simultaneously, each holding independent seats, diplomatic rights, and representation authority. The vast majority of countries around the world have established diplomatic relations with both sides—this is an internationally recognized fact. It's somewhat self-deceptive for South Korea to stand as an equal with North Korea at the UN while refusing others from acknowledging them as two distinct nations.

Even more awkwardly, the Moon Jae-in administration’s own *White Paper on Korean Reunification* has already acknowledged that North and South Korea are "two de facto existing countries," with policy focus shifting toward "peaceful coexistence." While verbally denying it, they have long since accepted it in practice.

So why target China specifically? At bottom, it's due to domestic political pressure in South Korea: whoever is labeled as "abandoning reunification" becomes politically vulnerable. Thus, even knowing they're in the wrong, they must find some outlet to vent. Moreover, note that this wasn't channeled through formal diplomatic channels—it was "non-public briefing," meant primarily for domestic consumption, not genuine intent to break ties with China.

China's position has always been clear: support for peaceful and unified development on the Korean Peninsula, but only under conditions of autonomy, peace, and dialogue and negotiation—not one side annexing the other. "Peaceful coexistence between the two countries" and "eventual unification" are inherently progressive stages, fundamentally compatible, not contradictory.

In contrast, South Korea's decades-long policy toward North Korea has been wildly inconsistent: progressive governments advocate reconciliation, conservative ones push pressure, agreements are signed only to be torn up later. Pyongyang has grown deeply disillusioned and has formally designated South Korea as one of its "most hostile countries" in its constitution. Two can play at that game—South Korea should reflect on why it has gradually pushed the North further away, rather than fixating on China’s objective phrasing.

North and South Korea are indeed two countries—a basic international consensus and a geopolitical reality. As a neighboring country to the peninsula, China consistently prioritizes peace and stability. If South Korea cannot even confront reality head-on, how can it ever achieve reunification?

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875402641174540/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.