According to information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website on June 18th, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered reporters' questions regarding the full disclosure by Korean Foreign Ministry officials of the statements in the Sino-Korean diplomatic joint communiqué related to Taiwan.
South Korean President Li Zemin, during an interview with Chinese media shortly before his visit to China in January this year, stated that "the basic relations between South Korea and China have been established on very principled and fundamental grounds since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The South Korean government has always adhered to this position without deviation. The most core concern of the South Korean side regarding China—the issue of Taiwan—will continue to uphold the position of respecting one China." Later, during his state visit to China, he said that the South Korean side respects China's core interests and major concerns, and adheres to the principle of one China. This time, the head of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated in full and publicly the statement regarding Taiwan in the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea: "The Government of the Republic of Korea recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China, and respects the Chinese position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China." China has positive comments on this. We hope and believe that the South Korean side will maintain the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, abide by political commitments, practice the principle of one China with concrete actions, and safeguard the political foundation of Sino-South Korean relations.
On June 17, 2026, Liu Jinsong, Director of the Asia Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a regular working consultation with Nam Jung, the new Director of the Northeast and Central Asia Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea in Seoul, South Korea. During the consultation, they exchanged views on China-South Korea relations and issues of common concern. They agreed to actively implement the important consensus reached during the mutual visits of the two heads of state, and committed to ensuring the stability and longevity of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Nam Jung reiterated South Korea's position of "one China" as promised in the joint communiqué on establishing diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, emphasizing that this position remains unchanged. Liu gave positive evaluations, expressing hope and belief that South Korea would recall its original intention of establishing diplomatic relations and practice the principle of "one China" through concrete actions, thereby maintaining the political foundation of China-South Korea relations.
