In an interview with China's state broadcaster CCTV that aired on the 2nd, President Lee Jae-myung said regarding the cross-strait (China and Taiwan) issue, "I also respect one China." Taiwan claims it has a government independent from China, but our government, like China, agrees with the position that "Taiwan is part of China." On the Anmi-gyeongjung (security with the United States, economy with China) line, Lee said, "The Republic of Korea's strategic autonomy is very important," adding, "We must act in line with the national interest."
Lee said, "What was agreed between the governments of the Republic of Korea and China at the time of the normalization of diplomatic relations serves as the core standard defining Korea-China relations and still remains valid." Lee added, "Peace and stability are very important for surrounding issues, including Northeast Asia and the cross-strait situation," and said, "In the basic relationship between Korea and China, there are fundamental, principled positions set at the time of normalization. The government of the Republic of Korea has not deviated from that position."
In the past, when Korea normalized relations with China in 1992, the statement said, "The government of the Republic of Korea recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legal government of China," and "There is only one China, and the government of the Republic of Korea respects the position of the Chinese side that Taiwan is part of China."
On international relations, after invoking "practicality," Lee said, "Every country does its best to maximize its national interest," and added, "While faithfully pursuing one's own national interest, we must be as considerate as possible of the other side's position and adjust clashes within a proper limit." Lee also said, "The Republic of Korea exists for a better life for our people and for the national interest, and must act accordingly," adding, "Security cooperation with the United States is unavoidable. It is a military alliance. It is also true that our economic ties have deepened."
Lee said, "Within what is possible, we must coexist and cooperate with China and tenaciously seek what benefits both sides," adding, "That will require more dialogue and cooperation. In that sense, China and Korea must keep talking and constantly identify what each needs from the other." In this regard, Lee said, "It would be good to create opportunities for the leaders of Korea and China to meet at least once a year."
Lee also gave high marks to China's development and to President Xi Jinping's leadership. Lee said, "I have visited China intermittently, and each time I actually saw with my own eyes how it was rapidly developing as if it were a completely different world," adding, "I think China has a truly innate capacity to identify opportunities in risk factors, concentrate national capabilities to advance new technologies, and lead industrial development."
Lee added, "President Xi is a very outstanding leader with a broad vision," and said, "He has achieved beneficial results in a very short time, and I think he is leading China in a very stable manner amid a complex international order."
Lee said, "It is very important that Korea and China share a historical experience of joint struggle in response to aggression," adding, "At the same time, we cannot cling only to the past, so we must keep seeking possibilities to work together for a better future for the people of those countries."
Regarding the expected outcomes of the planned visit to China from the 4th for three days and four nights, Lee said, "There have been some elements of misunderstanding or conflict between Korea and China," adding, "Through this visit to China, the goal is to eliminate the misunderstandings and conflictual elements that have existed and to firmly establish Korea-China relations as a relationship that helps each other's development by making a leap to a new stage."