China and South Korea exchange protests over Taiwan and Korean issue
China and South Korea have exchanged official protests over the Taiwan issue and wording concerning relations between South and North Korea. The dispute arose amid efforts by the two countries to improve bilateral relations, the South China Morning Post reports.
Seoul's objections
South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said that he had expressed a “serious objection” to China. The reason was an official Chinese statement issued after a meeting, which welcomed steps “towards the peaceful coexistence of the two states of South and North Korea.”
According to Wi Sung-lac, Seoul does not agree with the use of the phrase “two states.” “Since the Chinese side's statement after the meeting included the expression ‘two states,’ and this differs from what we think, we expressed a serious objection,” he said at a briefing.
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Beijing's complaints over Taiwan
At the same time, Beijing expressed serious complaints to Seoul over an art event featuring a “Taiwan pavilion.” After that, artists from mainland China withdrew from the event in protest.
South Korea does not recognize North Korea as a separate sovereign state and regards the Korean Peninsula as a single territory awaiting reunification.
