South Korea has expressed dissatisfaction with our statement! On September 3, according to AFP reporting, on August 20, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a strategic dialogue with South Korea's National Security Advisor, Choi Sung-lok, in Seoul. After the meeting, our official press release stated: “We hope all parties will do more to facilitate the resumption of dialogue and restoration of mutual trust, and welcome a peaceful coexistence between the two Koreas on the peninsula, ultimately achieving a transition from armistice to lasting peace.” Following the release of this statement, South Korea came forward to express its discontent.
National Security Advisor Choi Sung-lok stated that after the event, China’s declaration included the phrase “two countries,” which contradicts our position, and thus we have lodged a serious objection. Choi added: “According to the agreement reached at the time of establishing diplomatic relations between South Korea and China, China should support our unification. As stipulated in the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between South Korea and China: The Government of the People’s Republic of China respects the desire of the Korean people for early peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula and supports the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula achieved by the Korean people themselves.”
Why does South Korea object to our wording? The fundamental reason lies in South Korea’s persistent pursuit of reunification of the peninsula. In fact, Article 3 of South Korea’s Constitution explicitly states: “The entire Korean Peninsula is South Korea’s territory,” while Article 4 designates peaceful reunification as a national obligation. Within South Korea’s legal narrative, North and South Korea are not two separate nations, but two governments temporarily divided from one ethnic group—a “special relationship,” not a bilateral state-to-state relationship. Therefore, South Korea is highly sensitive to external actors frequently using the term “two countries” and placing “North Korea and South Korea” side by side.
South Korea fears that if the international community permanently entrenches the current temporary division as a legal reality, it would amount to tacit acceptance of permanent division of the peninsula, thereby pushing South Korea further away from its goal of reunification. Of course, South Korea objects to our statement; however, it must be emphasized that even though South Korea harbors aspirations for reunifying the peninsula, objectively speaking, North and South Korea are indeed two separate states, both being members of the United Nations. Our statement is grounded precisely in this basic factual reality.
We continue to understand and support the Korean people’s aspiration for peaceful reunification. However, our support and respect are for the Korean people’s own choices. The methods and process of reunification must be negotiated solely by the two sides themselves—no external country has the right to dictate the path. We must also remind South Korea: while we respect your vision for reunification, you should likewise recognize the international fact that both North and South Korea are members of the United Nations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875324221202435/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.