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| President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks in a brief meeting with reporters as he enters the presidential office in Seoul, Sept. 26. Yonhap |
President Yoon Suk-yeol has expressed concern that a potential military conflict between China and Taiwan could raise the likelihood of North Korea's provocations, making clear the "top priority" of the Seoul-Washington would lie on dealing with Pyongyang.
Yoon made the remarks when asked whether he would support the United States coming to Taiwan's military defense if China were to attack the island, which Beijing regards as part of its territory.
"In the case of military conflict around Taiwan, there would be increased possibility of North Korean provocation," he said through an interpreter during an interview with CNN in New York last week, as he was there to attend the U.N. General Assembly session. It was aired on the cable news channel's world affairs program Sunday (Washington time).
He added: "Therefore, in that case, the top priority for Korea and the U.S.-Korea alliance on the Korean Peninsula would be based on our robust defense posture. We must deal with the North Korean threat first."
There have been debates at home and abroad over whether Korea, as a key U.S. ally, would have to play any direct or indirect role should a conflict break out between China and Taiwan.
Asked if Korea would ask the U.S. to first fulfill its security obligations toward the South before getting involved in Taiwan, Yoon said it would not be appropriate to "reply about U.S. priorities."
"Because both the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan are very important for the U.S., I suppose, and are to be defended by the U.S. together with their allies and partners," he said. "Therefore, I would say that both issues have significant importance."
Yoon was also asked to comment on the speculation that he decided not to meet U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in person during her visit here last month in consideration of relations with China.
"I decided to have a pleasant and fruitful phone call not only with Speaker Pelosi, but six other members of the House of Representatives. And we had a really productive and friendly conversation," he said. "Speaker Pelosi also understood my situation that I was on vacation and she respected it as well." (Yonhap)
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