Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Beijing urges caution as Korea gains US support for nuclear sub capabilities
Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing speaks during a press conference at the Embassy of China in Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing issued a pointed warning Thursday over potential U.S.–Korea cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines, saying the initiative raises serious concerns for regional security and the global nuclear nonproliferation regime.
Speaking at a news conference in Seoul on Thursday, Dai said China was “closely following” the discussions reaffirmed at an early-November summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, where the two leaders agreed to expand coordination on advanced naval capabilities, including avenues for cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines.
The approval would propel Korea toward becoming a blue water navy, a term that refers to a naval force capable of operating globally across the deep waters of open oceans. So far, only the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France, India and Australia have taken that path.
Dai said Beijing and the international community are “closely watching” the discussions, emphasizing that nuclear-powered submarine cooperation is “not a simple commercial or technical matter” but a move with far-reaching strategic implications.
“The situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region remains complex and delicate,” Dai said. “We hope the Korean side will fully consider the concerns of all parties and handle this issue with caution.”
On Friday, the Korean president said his government had secured U.S. support for expanding Seoul’s authority over uranium enrichment and the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. He cast the move as a significant step toward the nation’s long-sought goal of building its first nuclear-powered submarine.
The announcement was included in a joint fact sheet detailing new agreements on trade and security, issued after two summits between Lee and Trump, the most recent held on Oct. 29 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Korea.
Dai noted that China has already conveyed its objections to Seoul through diplomatic channels and reaffirmed the stance publicly through the foreign ministry. Dai warned that introducing nuclear-propulsion cooperation into the region risks further escalating tensions at a time when stability is needed.
He urged the United States to move beyond declarations of dialogue and take “practical actions” that support peace, adding that Korea, as a direct party to the peninsula issue, has the capacity to play a larger role in reducing tensions.
“The peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula serve the interests of all regional stakeholders,” Dai said. “We hope all sides act responsibly.”
Embassy of China in Seoul / Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin
‘Politically driven’ rallies
The Chinese ambassador, addressing the months-long anti-China demonstrations in Korea, denounced the protests as “politically driven,” arguing they were orchestrated by minor political groups. Dai contended that the demonstrations were distinct from other historical protests, such as those targeting the United States or Japan, and ultimately harmed the relationship between Beijing and Seoul.
Anti-China sentiment in Korea has been intensifying, driven in part by Beijing’s deployment of large fixed platforms and other structures in the West Sea and by a spate of high-profile kidnappings in Cambodia in which Chinese nationals allegedly targeted Koreans.
He said Beijing has been closely monitoring the continued anti-China rallies that have taken place in Korea for the past six months. He argued that the protests are grounded in “political falsehoods” and intentionally paint China in a negative light.
“Unfortunately, these anti-China demonstrations are driven by political lies and are harming China’s image as well as China–Korea relations,” Dai said. “China has never done anything to harm Korea, and that is why anti-China rallies are essentially different from the anti-U.S. and anti-Japan protests that Koreans are familiar with.”
The envoy accused “a small number of political forces” in Korea of using China as a tool for their own domestic agendas.
“The essence of these anti-China rallies is that certain political groups are exploiting the ‘China card’ for their political objectives,” he said. “This not only damages China–Korea friendship but is also not beneficial to Korea itself.”
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea has introduced a new bill that would prohibit rallies deemed to promote hate or discrimination, in response to a rise in anti-China protests. The legislation seeks to outlaw gatherings that could “incite or promote discrimination or hatred” targeting specific races, nationalities or other groups.
The move comes amid a surge in anti-China protests in neighborhoods such as Myeong-dong in central Seoul and Daerim-dong in the southern part of the capital, where crowds have chanted “China out.” The unrest has prompted the Chinese embassy in Seoul to issue a safety advisory for its citizens.
“I have heard that the Korean National Assembly is considering related laws,” he said. “How Korea handles this is an internal matter, and I will not interfere.”
He warned that attempts to use China-related issues for political gain would not succeed amid shifting global dynamics.
“In today’s rapidly changing international environment, any force that tries to manipulate the ‘China card’ has no future,” Dai said.