Seoul rushes to reaffirm stable Beijing ties after FM calls China 'problematic'

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun arrives at Incheon International Airport, Sunday, after concluding foreign ministerial talks with Japan and the United States. Yonhap

The presidential office on Tuesday reaffirmed Korea's commitment to fostering stable ties with China that support regional stability, clarifying its stance after Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's reference to China as "problematic" drew backlash from Beijing.

The swift response was seen as part of Seoul’s efforts to manage ties with China, amid growing speculation that Chinese President Xi Jinping may attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit which will take place in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in October and November.

"We are working to advance Korea-China relations based on the solid foundation of the Korea-U.S. alliance," a senior presidential official said.

"Minister Cho's remarks should be understood as an expression of Korea’s continued commitment to building a bilateral relationship that contributes to people's livelihoods, regional stability and prosperity, even if there are differences on certain issues," the official said. "He also emphasized to relevant countries the need for continued engagement with China."

The presidential office’s comments came a day after China expressed apparent frustration over the foreign minister's interview with The Washington Post, in which he struck an unusually strong tone toward Beijing.

In the interview, published Sunday, Cho described Beijing as "somewhat problematic" with its neighbors.

"In Northeast Asia, we have another problem of China becoming somewhat problematic with its neighbors. We have seen what China has been doing in the South China Sea and in the Yellow Sea," he was quoted as saying.

The top diplomat added, "But we will try to send a message to China: 'We want to maintain a good relationship, and [see] you abide by international law in not only bilateral, but in regional affairs.'"

The interview took place during Cho's visit to Washington, where he held talks with his U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio. This marked the minister's first media interview since he took office on July 21.

The term "problematic" marked an unusually direct expression from a Korean foreign minister toward China. The interview was reportedly conducted in English without Korean interpretation.

Cho’s remarks were especially notable as the Lee Jae Myung administration, since taking office in June, has worked to mend strained ties with Beijing following former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s more confrontational stance.

Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing delivers remarks during an Embassy Open Day, held as a bilateral exchange event for young people, at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, July 22. Yonhap

In an apparent response to Cho's comments, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul issued a statement Monday asserting that China maintains good relations with all of its neighbors and that most of them view strengthening friendly cooperation with China as a diplomatic priority.

Describing Korea and China as "important close neighbors and cooperation partners," the embassy said bilateral relations had gotten off to a good start under the new Korean administration.

The Global Times, Beijing's English-language mouthpiece, went further.

In an article citing local analysts, it described Cho as "echoing U.S. rhetoric about the 'China threat' and stirring up the South China Sea issue" and said it "would do nothing to improve China-South Korea ties."

Diplomatic observers in Seoul say Cho’s remarks provide an early glimpse into the Lee administration’s delicate balancing act between Washington and Beijing in its foreign policy.

"The interview reflects Korea’s candid view that China’s actions in East Asia are becoming increasingly burdensome for its neighbors. The Lee administration is now clarifying its position: the Korea-U.S. alliance remains the foundation of its foreign policy, while ties with China will be managed pragmatically," said Kang Jun-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

Kang added that Cho's strong tone may also have served as an indirect message to Washington, aimed at dispelling lingering perceptions that the Lee administration is overly friendly toward China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing, July 15. AFP-Yonhap

However, he cautioned against overinterpreting the comments, saying, "China is also unlikely to escalate the issue, given that Beijing is trying to maintain diplomatic momentum ahead of Xi’s possible APEC attendance."

After taking office, Cho held a phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and invited him to visit Korea. Diplomatic sources say Wang could visit ahead of the APEC Summit, possibly as a preparatory step, amid growing expectations surrounding Xi’s attendance. Observers note that since China is set to host APEC in 2026, precedent suggests Xi is likely to take part in this year's gathering.

If Xi attends the upcoming APEC Summit, it would mark his first visit to Korea since 2014 and would be widely viewed as a full restoration of ties that have been strained in recent years.

Still, tensions persist in the relationship. Beijing has expressed growing unease over Seoul's ongoing discussions with Washington to "modernize the Korea-U.S. alliance."

While few details have been made public about the allies' efforts to upgrade their alliance, China's concern centers on how far Seoul may align its foreign policy with Washington's efforts to counter Beijing, including the potential role of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) in a contingency involving Taiwan.

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul recently issued a statement, asserting that the development of the Korea-U.S. alliance "should not undermine the interests of any third party."