China on Monday pledged to work towards “healthy and stable” relations with South Korea following the launch of impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol by Seoul’s Constitutional Court.
On Saturday, the South Korean parliament suspended Yoon from office over his brief and controversial attempt to suspend civilian rule, triggering the country’s worst political crisis in years. The Constitutional Court has up to six months to decide whether to uphold the impeachment.
“South Korea is China’s important close neighbour and friendly cooperative partner. Promoting the healthy and stable development of China-South Korea ties accords with the common interests of both sides,” China’s foreign ministry stated at a regular briefing on Monday.
Ministry spokesman Lin Jian added, “China’s policy towards South Korea is consistent and maintains stability,” emphasising that “maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is in the interests of all sides and demands that all sides make active efforts.”
When questioned about the impeachment directly, Lin declined to comment, stating that it was “South Korea’s internal affair.”
The two nations, while major trade partners, remain politically misaligned.
China’s ruling Communist Party continues to support North Korea economically and politically, maintaining ties with the regime with which South Korea remains technically at war.
In contrast, South Korea, a key US ally, hosts a significant American military presence. Relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated in recent years.
Last week, Yoon accused the main opposition party of obstructing his efforts to strengthen anti-espionage laws. In a defiant speech, he argued that these laws could have been used to address espionage involving Chinese nationals targeting South Korean defence and intelligence systems.
China reacted strongly to these remarks, stating it was “deeply surprised and dissatisfied” and that such comments damaged the progress of bilateral relations.
