Lee Jae Myung on Taiwan
TL;DR
Lee Jae Myung stresses South Korea respects the 'One-China' policy but views Taiwan Strait issues as primarily a bilateral matter between China and Japan.
Key Points
He affirmed in an interview with China's CCTV that South Korea will continue to respect the 'One-China' policy.
He characterized the issue of the Taiwan Strait as primarily a matter between China and Japan, preferring non-intervention from Seoul.
His comments followed heightened tensions after the Japanese Prime Minister indicated possible military involvement if China acted against Taiwan.
Summary
Lee Jae Myung's stated position on Taiwan emphasizes South Korea's adherence to the 'One-China' policy, a principle he affirmed remains the core guideline for relations with Beijing, established in 1992. Following his initial meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, he was quoted as saying South Korea consistently respects this policy and that maintaining peace and stability in Northeast Asia, including the Taiwan Strait, is very important to his government. This approach signaled a desire to maintain stable and healthy bilateral relations with China, contrasting with a predecessor's more explicit reference to international norms regarding the status quo.
He further clarified his stance by suggesting that tensions surrounding the Taiwan Strait, especially following comments from the Japanese Prime Minister suggesting potential military involvement, are fundamentally a matter between China and Japan, in which South Korea should not deeply intervene or engage. While expressing hope that the issue is resolved smoothly through dialogue to ensure regional stability, this positioning indicates a preference for pragmatic diplomacy aimed at minimizing bilateral friction rather than actively aligning Seoul with external parties on the cross-strait issue. His administration seeks to elevate South Korea-China relations while encouraging dialogue on the Korean Peninsula.
Key Quotes
This visit to China aims to minimize or eliminate these past misunderstandings or contradictions, to elevate and develop South Korea-China relations to a new stage,”
Frequently Asked Questions
Lee Jae Myung publicly affirms South Korea's commitment to respecting the 'One-China' policy as a core guideline for its relationship with Beijing. He emphasizes that maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait is important for Northeast Asia.
Yes, he stated that the tensions arising from Japan's stance on Taiwan are fundamentally a matter between China and Japan. He expressed a hope that the issue would be resolved smoothly through dialogue without South Korea needing to deeply intervene.
An expert noted that Lee Jae Myung's approach was more ambiguous than his predecessor, who had more explicitly invoked international norms regarding any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the Strait. Lee focused more on resolving bilateral disputes during his summit with the Chinese President.
Sources4
South Korean president visits China as tensions with Japan over Taiwan rise
President Lee Jae-myung Stresses Taiwan as Bilateral Issue
South Korea's Lee took more ambiguous Taiwan stance in Xi talks: Expert
Lee say S. Korea will continue to respect 'one-China' policy: CCTV
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.