Wi Sung-lac Meets With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Asks for Constructive Cooperation on North Korea Policy

Wi Sung-lac, Director of the National Security Office, held a meeting and luncheon with Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Communist Party and Foreign Minister, exchanging views on ways to develop South Korea-China relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Following a meeting between President Lee Jae-myung and Foreign Minister Wang earlier today (August 20), Director Wi introduced the South Korean government's blueprint for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, which was announced in the Liberation Day congratulatory address. He also explained the phased and pragmatic denuclearization approach, which begins with a freeze, alongside efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea.

In doing so, he requested China's constructive cooperation in the process of pursuing these North Korea policies.

In response, Foreign Minister Wang stated, "China's policy on the Korean Peninsula maintains continuity and stability," adding, "We will continue to play a constructive role for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," according to the National Security Office.

The two sides exchanged views on the rapidly changing global landscape as a whole, and agreed that given the close political and economic ties among regional countries, they must respect each other's positions, cooperate, and expand common ground.

The National Security Office evaluated that this meeting is significant as it restored the communication channel between South Korea's Director of the National Security Office and China's Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs after it had been suspended since December 2021, marking a resumption in about five years.

Director Wi and Foreign Minister Wang welcomed the resumption of high-level diplomatic and security dialogue between South Korea and China, and announced that they will continue close communication across various levels, including operating this channel on a regular basis.

The National Security Office also reported that Foreign Minister Wang invited Director Wi to visit China, and that Director Wi accepted the invitation.

(Photo: Presidential Photography Press Corps, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.