Chinese envoy summoned over THAAD remarks
By Kang Seung-woo
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Qiu Guohong Chinese ambassador
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Chinese Ambassador to Korea Qiu Guohong, Wednesday, over sensitive remarks he made about Seoul-Beijing ties during a meeting with the South Korean opposition leader the previous day.
“Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun called in Ambassador Qiu to ask about his remarks and Qiu gave a sincere explanation of the related situation,” the ministry said in a statement.
“He also expressed an understanding about the sensitivity of the issue and said he would make more efforts towards the constant development of South Korea-China relations.”
However, the ministry failed to mention whether the envoy expressed his regret over the remarks.
In Tuesday’s meeting with Kim Jong-in, the interim head of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK), the Chinese ambassador said that a possible deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in Korea would destroy ties with China, according to a party spokesman.
“The THAAD deployment could destroy bilateral relations in an instant,” he was also quoted as saying.
In retaliation for North Korea’s recent nuclear test and rocket launch, the government has decided to hold negotiations with the United States about the U.S. Forces Korea’s (USFK) plan to deploy THAAD onto Korean soil. To protest against the decision, the Chinese government summoned South Korean Ambassador to China Kim Jang-soo earlier this month.
Earlier in the day, Cheong Wa Dae said that the THAAD deployment is a matter of self-defense against increasing threats from North Korea.
“The USFK’s THAAD deployment is a measure of self-defense against the North’s evolving nuclear and missile programs and it is a matter to be decided in accordance with security and national interests,” said presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk at a briefing. “China will have to recognize this point.”
An official of the presidential office said the spokesman’s remarks are the nation’s basic stance on the issue of THAAD deployment.
The foreign ministry also said that China needs to review the root cause of South Korea’s consideration of the deployment.
“Before taking issue with the THAAD deployment, it is reasonable that China considers why South Korea is considering the issue,” a foreign ministry official said.
“Based on mutual trust, the two nations need to make efforts to advance bilateral ties.”
Qiu’s remarks, quite unusual for a senior diplomat, were seen as China exerting explicit pressure on South Korea.
China has strongly opposed the deployment on the Korean Peninsula, claiming that the U.S. missile interceptor could be used to nullify its military strike capabilities.
In addition, the Chinese government has pressured its South Korean counterpart to thwart the plan, exploiting its position as the country’s No. 1 trade partner.
The ruling Saenuri Party also condemned the ambassador’s remarks, saying that China ignored the nation’s sovereignty over national security.
“The issue of THAAD deployment should be solely decided by South Korea from the perspective of national interests and the safety of our people,” said floor leader Won Yoo-chul during a party meeting.
“The envoy’s remarks were rude and unreasonable as they completely disregarded the sovereignty and the security of South Korea.”
China has a track record of taking issue with the U.S. missile defense system.
During a summit between President Park Geun-hye and Chinese President Xi Jinping in July 2014, Xi reportedly asked Park to turn down a U.S. request to deploy the THAAD system. Xi’s request was followed by the Chinese ambassador and Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, voicing concerns about the missile interceptor that drew criticism from South Korean lawmakers who said this was a violation of South Korea’s sovereignty.