January 6, 2023
MOFA response to January 5 statement from Chinese Embassy spokesperson protesting ROK National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Woo-taik's visit to Taiwan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) strongly denounces the January 5 statement by a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul protesting the visit to Taiwan by Chung Woo-taik, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.
The R.O.C. (Taiwan) is exercising its national sovereignty, as is the norm for democratic nations, when it receives guests—especially important political figures and parliamentarians from like-minded countries. Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korea-Taiwan Parliamentarians Friendship Association, comprised of members of the ROK National Assembly, organized delegations to Taiwan each year, which significantly contributed to enhancing bilateral parliamentary exchanges. Deputy Speaker Chung told the Chosun Ilbo on January 5 that there is nothing problematic about these types of diplomatic activities conducted by the ROK National Assembly. MOFA sincerely welcomes its Korean friends and expresses appreciation for their substantive actions in support of Taiwan.
The Chinese Embassy in the ROK unreasonably criticized the National Assembly delegation’s visit to Taiwan. The Embassy’s comments not only seriously distorted the facts but also infringed on the ROK’s national dignity and undermined the sovereign rights and interests of the R.O.C. (Taiwan). China spreads falsehoods with crude language and “wolf-warrior” tactics, which is contemptible.
MOFA reiterates that neither the R.O.C. (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other and that the PRC has never governed Taiwan. These are internationally recognized historical facts, as well as the long-standing and objective status quo. Taiwan and the ROK are both democratic, independent, and sovereign nations. The people of the ROK have the right to engage with all countries across the globe, including Taiwan. China has no right to interfere with other nations’ diplomatic interactions or other sovereign activities.
Taiwan and the ROK share the common values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. They enjoy close and substantive relations ranging from the economy and trade to personnel exchanges. Since May 2021, the ROK government has reiterated at numerous international events the importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. In its Strategy for a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region published last December, the ROK government emphasized the connection between peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Korean Peninsula as it relates to the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific. The Chinese government, once again ignoring reality, will not only fail in its malicious attempts to obstruct the international community’s normal interactions with Taiwan, it will also arouse aversion among other nations. MOFA urges like-minded countries to unite in condemnation of China’s bullying rhetoric and malevolent actions.