Presidential office says to advance ties with China based on robust alliance with US
In an interview with The Washington Post last week, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun suggested that China's rise and its assertive actions in the region have made neighboring countries "alert," saying there is a "problem of China becoming somewhat problematic" for its neighbors.
Cho was responding to a question about what he believes a "correct approach" to China should be.
"We're seeking to develop our bilateral relations with China based on the staunch South Korea-US alliance," the presidential office said in a message to reporters.
"Minister Cho's remarks were made in the context of South Korea's continued efforts to build a relationship with China that contributes to regional stability, prosperity and the well-being of people," it said.
The presidential office also noted that Cho has emphasized the importance for relevant countries to engage with China.
In the interview, Cho said the Lee Jae Myung government seeks to maintain good relations with China and will work with the United States and Japan to engage with Beijing rather than isolate it. (Yonhap)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
S. Korean presidential office downplays foreign minister's China remarks
President Lee Jae Myung's office on Tuesday downplayed Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's remarks about China in a recent media interview. In a note to reporters, the presidential office said Cho's remarks were meant to deliver his intention to "continue to foster a relationship between South Korea and China to contribute to people's economic well-being, regional stability and prosperity, despite some differences over some issues between the two countries." The presidential office also noted that it would seek to develop the relationship between South Korea and China, on the foundation of the strong alliance between South Korea and the United States. This follows a comment by Cho in his interview with The Washington Post on Sunday. Cho said, "In Northeast Asia, we have another problem of China becoming somewhat problematic with its neighbors. We have seen what China has been doing in the South China Sea and in the Yellow Sea." He was responding to a question about how to navigate geopolitical challenges in South Korea's neighborhood. Cho also said, "We have become rather alert to China's rise and its challenges," adding the country hoped to see China "abide by international law in not only bilateral, but in regional affairs," when asked about Seoul's approach to Beijing. Cho's remarks prompted a response from the Chinese Embassy to South Korea, which said that China has a"good" relationship with all of its neighbors, and that most countries were prioritizing friendly cooperation with China. Meanwhile, South Korea's presidential office also noted that Cho had raised "a need for relevant countries to engage with China." This apparently echoed Cho's remarks during his meeting with his counterparts in Japan and the United States that he "noted the need for engaging China, because simply trying to block China will not be as effective as we want."
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Israel to decide next steps in Gaza
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -- Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet this week to decide on Israel's next steps in Gaza following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas, with one senior Israeli source suggesting more force could be an option. Last Saturday, during a visit to the country, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had said he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that would effectively end the war in Gaza. But Israeli officials have also floated ideas including expanding the military offensive in Gaza and annexing parts of the shattered enclave. The failed ceasefire talks in Doha had aimed to clinch agreements on a US-backed proposal for a 60-day truce, during which aid would be flown into Gaza and half of the hostages Hamas is holding would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel. After Netanyahu met Witkoff last Thursday, a senior Israeli official said that "an understanding was emerging between Washington and Israel," of a need to shift from a truce to a comprehensive deal that would "release all the hostages, disarm Hamas, and demilitarize the Gaza Strip," -- Israel's key conditions for ending the war. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday that the envoy's visit was seen in Israel as "very significant." But later on Sunday, the Israeli official signalled that pursuit of a deal would be pointless, threatening more force, "An understanding is emerging that Hamas is not interested in a deal and therefore the prime minister is pushing to release the hostages while pressing for military defeat. Israel's Channel 12 on Monday cited an official from his office as saying that Netanyahu was inclining towards expanding the offensive and seizing the entire Palestinian enclave. What a "military defeat" might mean, however, is up for debate within the Israeli leadership. Some Israeli officials have suggested that Israel might declare it was annexing parts of Gaza as a means to pressure the militant group. Others, like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir want to see Israel impose military rule in Gaza before annexing it and re-establishing the Jewish settlements Israel evicted 20 years ago. The Israeli military, which has pushed back at such ideas throughout the war, was expected on Tuesday to present alternatives that include extending into areas of Gaza where it has not yet operated, according to two defence officials. While some in the political leadership are pushing for expanding the offensive, the military is concerned that doing so will endanger the 20 hostages who are still alive, the officials said. Israeli Army Radio reported on Monday that military chief Eyal Zamir has become increasingly frustrated with what he describes as a lack of strategic clarity by the political leadership, concerned about being dragged into a war of attrition with Hamas militants. A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the report but said that the military has plans in store. "We have different ways to fight the terror organization, and that's what the army does," Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said. On Tuesday, Qatar and Egypt endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which included a call on Hamas to hand over its arms to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Hamas has repeatedly said it won't lay down arms. But it has told mediators it was willing to quit governance in Gaza for a non-partisan ruling body, according to three Hamas officials. It insists that the post-war Gaza arrangement must be agreed upon among the Palestinians themselves and not dictated by foreign powers. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar suggested on Monday that the gaps were still too wide to bridge. "We would like to have all our hostages back. We would like to see the end of this war. We always prefer to get there by diplomatic means, if possible. But of course, the big question is, what will be the conditions for the end of the war?" he told journalists in Jerusalem.
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Presidential office says to advance ties with China based on robust alliance with US
South Korea is seeking to advance its relationship with China based on the staunch alliance with the United States, the presidential office said Tuesday, following the foreign minister's remarks describing Beijing as "somewhat problematic" for its neighbors. In an interview with The Washington Post last week, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun suggested that China's rise and its assertive actions in the region have made neighboring countries "alert," saying there is a "problem of China becoming somewhat problematic" for its neighbors. Cho was responding to a question about what he believes a "correct approach" to China should be. "We're seeking to develop our bilateral relations with China based on the staunch South Korea-US alliance," the presidential office said in a message to reporters. "Minister Cho's remarks were made in the context of South Korea's continued efforts to build a relationship with China that contributes to regional stability, prosperity and the well-being of people," it said. The presidential office also noted that Cho has emphasized the importance for relevant countries to engage with China. In the interview, Cho said the Lee Jae Myung government seeks to maintain good relations with China and will work with the United States and Japan to engage with Beijing rather than isolate it. (Yonhap)
