South Korea says it respects One China principle ahead of Lee trip
· UPIJan. 2 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's presidential office said Friday it "respects the One China principle" after China urged Seoul to reaffirm its position on Taiwan ahead of President Lee Jae-myung's planned visit to China.
National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lac told reporters at the Blue House that the government respects the One China principle and is responding in line with that stance.
China's Foreign Ministry said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi raised the issue during a phone call Wednesday with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. Wang also criticized what he described as efforts by some political forces in Japan to revise history and downplay past aggression and colonialism, the ministry said.
The remarks were widely seen as pressure on Seoul to publicly restate its position before Lee's trip.
China's Foreign Ministry said Cho told Wang that Lee places importance on cooperation with China and is committed to developing the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership. Cho also said South Korea's position of respecting the One China principle has not changed, the ministry said.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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