Korea will stick to principles despite China's objection, PM says

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during a press conference at his office in Sejong. Yonhap

'Yoon administration won't be naive about peace with North Korea'

By Jung Min-ho

South Korea will continue to stick to its diplomatic principles despite China's complaints ― or threats such as expanded THAAD retaliation ― Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said regarding Beijing's open opposition to Seoul's participation at the NATO Summit in Madrid.

"There have been concerns that China may retaliate with economic measures. But if the country does so, we should call out its inappropriate," Han told reporters Tuesday. "We shouldn't break our principles, which are more important, just to prevent (such retaliatory action)."

Asked whether South Korea should maintain these principles even if Beijing repeats its furious economic retaliation in 2016 to the installation of a U.S. THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense system in South Korea, Han said, "Of course."

He also believes that China's overreaction to Yoon's participation in the NATO Summit is very unlikely, given South Korea's participation is part of a multinational security coalition, unlike the THAAD decision, and the two nations' "mature," interrelated economic systems which have developed over many years.

Ahead of the summit that South Korea is attending for the first time as an observer ― along with other Asia-Pacific partners (Japan, Australia and New Zealand) ― Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China's foreign ministry, expressed an objection to their participation and the possible extension of the military bloc to Asia.

In response, U.S. National Security Council coordinator John Kirby said China does not have the authority to veto which international meetings South Korea chooses to attend.

Han agreed with Kirby's statement. "I think what he said was right … If South Korea needs (the NATO Summit) for security, it should attend the summit. It wouldn't be polite for China to say (South Korea) should or shouldn't do certain things. It is not mutual respect," he said.

"Priorities are changing in regard to important values and national interests (under the new administration)."

After the reactions from the U.S. and China, which South Korea relies heavily on for its security and economy, respectively, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated on Tuesday that President Yoon Suk-yeol's attendance at the meeting is for strengthening international relations, "not for excluding or opposing certain countries or regions."

In this June 7 file photo, South Korea and the United States conduct a combined air power demonstration involving 20 warplanes over the West Sea. Yonhap

North Korea also reacted with hostility, accusing Washington of trying to establish "an Asian NATO" and the South of "holding its dark hand." The Korean Central News Agency, Pyongyang's official mouthpiece, said Wednesday that South Korea will lose much by taking part in the summit and will face a security crisis as a consequence.

The criticism comes amid fears that it is preparing its first nuclear test in five years, after a recent agreement between Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden to strengthen defense capabilities in the South to deter North Korea's aggression.

Han said the Yoon administration will focus on reinforcing military deterrence against North Korea's threats and be more realistic about the dangers they possess.

"Sometimes we will display what we are capable of as deterrence against its nuclear threats … Over the past few years under the previous administration, many were worried about its naive thoughts about peace with North Korea," Han said. "This administration won't be the same."

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