이 대통령 “한반도 문제 긴밀한 전략적 소통을”…‘비핵화’ 피한 왕이

President Jae-myung promised to closely communicate with King Wang during his stay in Beijing on the 20th to ensure the stability of the Korean peninsula. At a meeting in the Blue House, President Jae-myung mentioned that since last year and this year, he has met with China's State Councilor and Vice Premier Xi Jinping, making "the 'full restoration of China-Korea relations' a definite achievement."

The Blue House added that Yang Choon, the Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Director of the National Security Bureau's Satellite Control Center have continued to engage in close strategic communication on China-Korea relations and the Korean peninsula issue. King Wang conveyed to Xi Jinping that "the joint understanding between the two heads of state has led to stable development of China-Korea relations."

Earlier, Satellite Control Center Director Wang had explained a "gradual, practical nuclear disarmament approach" following his meeting with Xi Jinping and a banquet, and urged him to take steps towards "step-by-step, practical nuclear disarmament." Wang emphasized that China's policy on the Korean peninsula would continue to be "continuous and stable," and that China would continue to play an "constructive role in peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."

This marked the fifth time in a year since December 2021 that the Korean National Security Agency and China's State Council's Deputy Chief had direct conversations. Unlike China's previous reluctance to publicly discuss the "Korean peninsula" issue, during President Jae-myung's stay in Beijing, Wang emphasized China's "constructive role in peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."

However, regarding "nuclear disarmament," China continued to play a balancing act between North Korea and South Korea. The day before the China-Korea Foreign Ministry officials meeting, Korean officials had questioned China's stance on disarming North Korea before King Wang proactively mentioned China's "continuous and stable position on the Korean peninsula issue," subtly implying that China might play a mediation role.