Wang Yi: "Two States, Peaceful Coexistence for North and South" ... Rejects Acceptance of North Korea's Two-State Theory

During his visit to South Korea, Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs, referred to North and South Korea as "two countries." This has led to interpretations that China may have accepted North Korea’s "hostile two-state theory."

However, most diplomatic analysts believe that Minister Wang's remarks should not be seen as China embracing North Korea's position. They interpret the comment as being made in the context of emphasizing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, as well as peaceful coexistence between North and South Korea.

At a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun on the 19th, Minister Wang stated regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, "I am optimistic that the two countries, South Korea and North Korea, will gradually move toward peaceful coexistence and ultimately achieve long-term and sustainable stability on the peninsula."

Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs, is speaking at the Korea-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Seoul Government Complex, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

This statement has raised concerns that China may in fact be accepting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s "hostile two-state theory" declared at the end of 2023. At that time, Kim defined inter-Korean relations as hostile relations between two states and discarded the concepts of nation and unification.

Nevertheless, diplomatic sources said on the 20th that this is "not a new expression," explaining, "It was not intended to separate North and South Korea, but rather emerged in the context of discussing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the development of inter-Korean relations."

In fact, China has previously described the North and South as "two countries." The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs used the term "the two countries, North Korea and South Korea" in 2018, and in 2023 stated, "Both North Korea and South Korea are sovereign states that are members of the United Nations." In 2011, when explaining then-Premier Li Keqiang’s achievements during his visit to North Korea, the term "the two countries, North Korea and South Korea" was also used.

Accordingly, analysts believe that Minister Wang’s recent remarks should not be understood as a fresh acceptance of North Korea’s "hostile two-state theory," but rather as an emphasis on peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and the development of inter-Korean relations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.