Chinese Foreign Minister Blames South Korea, U.S. for Korean Peninsula Tensions

At a press conference held on the 7th, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, asserted that war should not break out on the Korean Peninsula./Xinhua News Agency.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau and Foreign Minister of China (also Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs), expressed his stance that war should never break out on the Korean Peninsula. He also argued that dialogue is necessary for this.

At the press conference held at the 2nd session of the 14th National People’s Congress, China’s largest annual political event, Minister Wang said, “The top priority for easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula is to stop threats and pressure. We must break away from the spiraling confrontation.” He revealed his position by making such a statement.

He added, “The fundamental path is to resume peace negotiations and address the legitimate security concerns of each party, especially North Korea. It’s about advancing the political resolution process of the Korean Peninsula issue.” His remarks are interpreted as expressing the perception that the cause of recent tensions on the Korean Peninsula is not North Korea but South Korea and the United States.

Furthermore, he said, “The situation on the Korean Peninsula is becoming more tense as the days go by. China does not want to see this situation,” adding, “The world is already chaotic enough. The Korean Peninsula should not create more fights and chaos.” In addition, mentioning the cause of the escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula, he argued, “The Korean Peninsula issue has been dragging on for many years. The root of the disease is clear. It is because the remnants of the Cold War still exist. The reason is that we have not consistently built a peace mechanism. It’s because we did not fundamentally solve the security issue.”

The press conference was held by Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 7th./Xinhua News Agency.

Also, Minister Wang, suggesting a solution, said, “The prescription has already been made. It is the ‘dual-track approach’ (simultaneous pursuit of denuclearization and a peace agreement between North Korea and the U.S.) and the ‘step-by-step, simultaneous principle’ proposed by China.” He also argued, “China’s position on the Korean Peninsula has been consistent. All efforts are focused on peace and long-term stability in the region.”

At the end of the press conference, not forgetting to issue a warning to South Korea and the United States, he stated, “Anyone who tries to drive the Korean Peninsula issues back to the Cold War, and confrontation will have to bear historical responsibility” and added, “Those who try to disrupt regional peace and stability will have to pay a hefty price.”