S. Korea Won’t Take Sides in Japan-China Spat: Pres. Lee

Seoul, Dec. 3 (Jiji Press)–South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said Wednesday that Seoul will not take sides in the recent spat between Japan and China over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. Taking sides would worsen the standoff between the Asian neighbors, the president told foreign press in a news conference. He added that it would be desirable for South Korea to play the role of mediator when possible. Takaichi, who took office in October, said at a meeting of Japan’s parliament the following month that China’s possible use of force against Taiwan could constitute a so-called survival-threatening situation for Japan, in which the country can exercise its right to collective self-defense. The remark infuriated China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province and aims to unite the self-ruled island with the mainland. Lee said he hopes that Japan and South Korea, despite their disagreements over territorial claims and history, will cooperate from a mutually beneficial standpoint and gradually overcome unresolved issues through discussions. The president also expressed his willingness to continue so-called shuttle diplomacy, or mutual visits by the two countries’ leaders to the other nation. Lee indicated his desire to visit Japan at an early time, saying that it is his turn to visit the country. Takaichi visited South Korea for three days through Nov. 1 to hold a bilateral meeting with Lee and attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit. The press conference was held to mark one year since then South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared emergency martial law. It is the first time Lee has held a press briefing exclusively for foreign media since his inauguration in June. Ahead of the press conference, Lee issued a special statement in which he said that the martial law declaration served as an opportunity to showcase to the world the South Korean people’s strong sense of sovereignty and the amazing resilience of democracy. The South Korean people, who have overcome the crisis of democracy in a peaceful way, are fully qualified to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, he suggested. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]