Lu Kang

According to Reuters, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Monday the United States should lower the threshold for talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), while Pyongyang should in return show willingness towards denuclearization.

It is important the United States and the DPRK sit down for talks. At a regular press conference on Wednesday, a reporter asked Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang what opinions the Chinese side has on this issue.

Lu said China has repeatedly stressed that the core of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is a security problem, the settlement of which hinges on the DPRK and the United States. Thus, to truly solve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and fundamentally transform the situation, direct talks between the two parties is indispensable.

To promote this process, China supports “lowering the threshold” and “simultaneous small steps” as a way to carry out bilateral and multilateral talks. Thus, both parties should set aside some unacceptable premises for the resumption of dialogue. In particular, they should not regard the future issues that need resolving during the dialogue as a prerequisite for restarting the dialogue. “As long as there is talk, everything is possible,” Lu said.

With regard to denuclearization, China’s position is consistent and clear: Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula conforms to the common interests of all sides. “This is the unwavering position of the international community, including China,” Lu said.

“Strike when the iron is hot,” Lu said.

The Chinese proverb means to make good use of an opportunity while it lasts. China hopes the current efforts to improve relations between the Two Koreas will encourage direct talks between the DPRK and the United States and settle the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, once and for all, through peaceful dialogue.