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China shows more concerns over THAAD than North's missile launch

China shows more concerns over THAAD than North's missile launch

Posted February. 10, 2016 07:07,   

Updated February. 10, 2016 07:19

한국어

On Sunday, the day North Korea announced its ICBM launch, China’s foreign ministry expressed “deep concern” over the recent developments surrounding the Korean Peninsula to the two Koreas’ ambassadors to the country. Their “concern” however, was more towards the talks between South Korea and the U.S. of the deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, rather towards the North’s violation of the UNSC resolutions.

Upon announcement of the US-South Korea THAAD deployment plans at 3 p.m Sunday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying demanded the countries to “be more prudent” saying that, “When pursuing its own security, one country should not impair other's security interests.” It was confirmed that China’s Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin requested a meeting with South Korea’s Ambassador to Beijing Kim Jang-soo, and a meeting between Chinese foreign minister and North Korea’s Ambassador to Beijing was also revealed on the ministry’s webpage.

China’s government news agency Xinhua also mentioned on Monday that countries should not attempt to gain benefits by harming their neighbors, presumably aiming at THAAD deployment or Japan’s rearmament movement.

In fact, China’s official statements on THAAD deployment were more severe than those responding to the launch itself. Spokesperson Hua Chunying said China had “noted” and “regrets” the launch, in a relatively mild tone, only three hours after the launch took place. Soon after, the ministry called North Korean ambassador Ji Jae Ryong to express their “regret.”

Both the official statement and commentaries by state media put more emphasis on addressing the issue through dialogues than condemning the behavior. The statement by the Chinese foreign ministry admitted that the DPRK has carried out the launch despite consistent opposition by the international community, but at the same time underscored seeking ways to realize peace and security in the region through dialogues and negotiations. Xinhua newspaper voiced a similar status, even though pointing out that the rocket launch could escalate tensions within the region.



베이징=구자룡특파원 bonhong@donga.com