1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, who is on a visit to Laos for ASEAN-related foreign ministerial meetings, met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on July 24. In their meeting, the two top diplomats focused on matters of mutual concern, including the Republic of Korea-China relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. They also engaged in a candid and comprehensive exchange of views on the North Korean nuclear issue and the envisioned deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to the ROK.

2. The two Ministers, noting with appreciation that the ROK and China had seen more remarkable advances in their relations than ever before over the past three and half years, stated that further advances will be in strategic interest of both countries, which will mark their 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2017.

° Minister Yun stressed that the two countries could face various challenges in the course of their cooperation but should not let their overall relations be affected by any particular issues.

° The two top diplomats agreed to continue communication with each other, including on the occasion of the G20 in September in 2016 and other major multilateral events.

3. With regard to the North Korean nuclear issue, Minister Wang reaffirmed China’s position that the country will unwaveringly seek the denuclearization of North Korea and continue strictly implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2270.

° Minister Yun, extending appreciation to Minister Wang over the remarks, underscored the need for the Security Council, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) to respond to North Korea’s repeated provocations, including the launches of Musudan missiles on June 22, a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on July 9, and Scud and Rodong missiles on July 19.

4. With regard to the decision to deploy a THAAD to US Forces Korea, Minister Yun explained that as North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats are an issue of survival for the ROK people, and as the ROK and its people will be the biggest victims in the event of a North Korean provocation, the ROK government made the decision as a self-defensive measure to ensure the security of the ROK and its people, something that any responsible government would have done.

° Minister Wang reiterated China’s position on the envisioned THAAD deployment. Minister Yun once again pointed out that the THAAD will not be targeted at any third country and will be in place only to deter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

° The two sides agreed to continue communication on this matter.


* unofficial translation