Japan and China are in conflict, and taking sides only exacerbates tensions,” Lee said at a press conference marking the first anniversary of the short-lived declaration of martial law in South Korea. “The ideal approach is to coexist, respect each other, and cooperate as much as possible,” the head of state stated.
The South Korean President also described Northeast Asia as “a very dangerous region in terms of military security.” Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have become strained since Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, suggested last month in the Japanese Parliament that her country could intervene militarily in the event of an attack on Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force to reclaim the island. Beijing has vehemently condemned Takaichi’s statements, advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, and summoned the Japanese ambassador. Since then, diplomatic incidents have followed, the latest being on Tuesday, with Tokyo accusing two Chinese ships of violating its territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
The uninhabited islands, known as Senkaku by Tokyo—who administers them—and Diaoyu by Beijing, are a constant point of tension, with both countries claiming sovereignty over this economically and strategically important territory.
Platform with Lusa
