By Kim Young-jin

China criticized Seoul’s plan to prepare for the reunification of the Koreas, Wednesday, saying in an editorial the move ratchets up regional tension.

The editorial published in the Global Times, a sister paper of the Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily, came as the Unification Ministry announced it would begin preparations for reunification during the coming year.

“Closely watching dynamics on the peninsula, we are able to see that South Korea's declarations about its reunification plan have created more tensions in the region,” it said.

“This plan, which is proposed by the South while it carries out a military drill and includes a strategy which sets preparations in motion for the collapse of the North Korean regime, will hardly enhance ties between the two sides.”

The remarks came in response to media reports that quoted South Korean officials as saying the ministry would shift its focus from inter-Korean exchanges to bolstering its capability to handle reunification.

But in a policy briefing Wednesday, the ministry announced it would also push for more dialogue and warm ties with the North, prospects the editorial did not address.

Relations have deteriorated to their worst point in decades following the North’s deadly shelling of Yeonpyeong Island last month. Pyongyang waged the attack in response to live-firing drills the South says were routine.

The commentary said the South’s recent military drills aimed at detering further attacks, as well as its reunification planning, are pushing peace out of reach.

“The South hopes to see stability, but fails to patiently address its actions that undermine that very stability. It chooses to provoke the North with frequent military drills, which accrues suspension and hatred across the 38th parallel,” it said.

It said China is in favor of the Koreas working together towards peaceful reunification, and questioned Seoul for not heeding its advice on reducing tensions.

“From the perspective of the Chinese public, South Korea is behaving like a bull in a china shop,” it said.
It urged Seoul to reduce tensions while creating policy to address issues with the North and facilitate cooperation among regional players.