1. On October 19, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Kim Hyoung-zhin held a meeting with Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou of China, who was on a visit to the Republic of Korea. In their meeting, the two ranking diplomats exchanged in an extensive, constructive and sincere manner views on the ROK-China relations, issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, and regional and global issues.

2. Deputy Minister Kim and Assistant Minister Kong brought renewed attention to the commitment to further develop the bilateral relations, which had been clearly expressed by the Presidents of the two countries at their summit talks held on the sidelines of the recent G20 Summit; and agreed to move their bilateral ties forward in a sustainable and stable way. In particular, Assistant Minister Kong pointed out that China, for its part, remains completely unwavering in continuing efforts to advance the bilateral relationship.

° The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, put into full gear the strategic dialogue mechanism and various other dialogue channels, and thereby step up strategic communication.

° The two sides agreed to continuously increase substantial cooperation between their two countries by implementing the bilateral FTA; enhancing the connectivity between the two countries’ development strategies, such as the ROK’s Eurasia Initiative and China’s “one belt, one road” policy; and conducting humanities exchange projects.

3. Deputy Minister Kim once again expressed to the Chinese government deep regret and protest over the sinking of a ship of the ROK Coast Guard. He requested that the Chinese government conduct an investigation and arrest and punish people aboard the vessels in question, and take in a prompt and responsible manner effective measures, including tougher crackdowns on illegal operations of Chinese fishing boats.

° Assistant Minister Kong, expressing regret over the recent incident caused by illegal fishing operations, stated that the Chinese government will not evade responsibility; is conducting a probe on the vessels concerned in accordance with China’s law and regulations; and will handle the aftermath in accordance with the law.

° The two sides agreed to consult closely with each other on relevant matters through various consultative channels, including bilateral meetings on fisheries cooperation, in a bid to improve the fisheries order in the Yellow Sea.

4. Deputy Minister Kim and Assistant Minister Kong reaffirmed the firm principle of non-tolerance for a nuclear North Korea; drew a common understanding that the UN Security Council should adopt as soon as possible a tough resolution in response to the North’s fifth nuclear test; and agreed to increasingly step up strategic communication and cooperation on North Korean issues, including with regard to the Security Council’s responses.

° Deputy Minister Kim, underscoring the gravity of North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats as well as the urgency to address them with, pointed out that the international community, through even stronger sanctions and pressure on North Korea, should create a circumstance where the North cannot but abandon its nuclear ambitions.

° Assistant Minister Kong, calling China’s position firm in terms of the denuclearization of as well as peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, stated that China, as a permanent member of the Security Council, will thoroughly implement the existing relevant resolutions and play a constructive role in the lead-up to the adoption of a new resolution.

5. With regard to the envisioned deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to US Forces Korea (USFK), Assistant Minister Kong explained China’s basic position. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Kim reiterated the ROK’s position, saying that it is necessary to deploy the THAAD system to the USFK in a minimal self-defensive measure against the North Korean nuclear and missile threats, and that the THAAD will not be targeted at any third country and will be in place only to deter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

° The two sides agreed to continue consultations on this matter.

6. With regard to the murder case in Jeju-do in September, Deputy Minister Kim brought attention to the fact that an increasing number of ROK nationals are falling victim to crimes committed by Chinese residents in the ROK, and asked the Chinese government to pay attention and take measures in this regard.

° Assistant Minister Kong, voicing hope that the streak of increasing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries will continue, proposed that the two countries work together to handle with respect for each other’s law and regulations the aftermath of such incidents that occur in the course of such exchanges.

7. Deputy Minister Kim and Assistant Minister Kong, taking note of the ROK-Japan-China foreign ministerial meeting in August, agreed to build on the outcome of the trilateral foreign ministerial meeting and work closely with each other to move the trilateral cooperation forward, including by holding trilateral summit talks.

8. Assistant Minister Kong extended appreciation to the ROK government for its active contribution to the success of the G20 Summit in 2016. Deputy Minister Kim, taking note of the in-depth discussion at the G20 Summit on policy coordination for a sustainable growth of the global economy, spoke of the ROK government’s plan to share its creative economy policy and make other efforts to continue contributing to relevant discussions.

9. The ROK-China deputy ministerial meeting is seen to have helped the Foreign Ministries of the two countries enhance their communication and mutual understanding on various matters, including the bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues.


* unofficial translation