“Why South Korea attends NATO meeting?” A harsh word from the US White House in China | Joongang Ilbo | JoongAng Ilbo

China and the United States are showing a nervous battle over the issue of attending the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit of South Korea and other Asia-Pacific nations. In response to China’s claim that the Asia-Pacific region is not under NATO’s jurisdiction, the United States responded that China was not involved.

China was wary first. At a regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on the 23rd, an AP news reporter asked about China’s position on attending the NATO meeting of the leaders of Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. “The world’s largest military alliance led by the United States” “The United States is a tool for maintaining supremacy and manipulating the security terrain of Europe, killing many civilians and bringing tens of millions of victims.” Raised his voice.

“NATO is a military organization in the North Atlantic, but has moved to the Asia-Pacific for the last few years to show off its power,” he said. “These movements are extremely dangerous and there is strong opposition from the Asia-Pacific region and the international community. Invite. “

“Relationships between nations must not target or harm the interests of third parties,” Spokesperson Thou said. “We strongly oppose all actions that promote separatism and conflict.” It is criticized for attracting the Asia-Pacific region, which does not belong to the North Atlantic Ocean, and promoting division.

Prior to this, China criticized South Korea for officially joining the NATO Cyber ​​Defense Center (CCDCOE) last month as an act of deepening conflict in the region.

The United States dismissed China’s claim. When asked by a reporter about China’s opposition to attending South Korea’s NATO conference, Kirby, a strategic public relations coordinator for the National Security Council (NSC), said, “No matter which conference South Korea attends, it refuses to China. No. We look forward to South Korea’s attendance. “

“This shows that the global security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is linked,” he said. “As seen in Europe, attacks on territory and sovereignty can occur in the Indo-Pacific.” Made a remark.

“It is important for South Korea to attend the conference,” Kirby said, stressing that the conference is not about making something similar to NATO in the Pacific.

At the summit meeting in Madrid, Spain on the 29th and 30th, NATO’s response to China’s growing influence is also included in the agenda. President Yoon Seok-you will attend at the invitation of NATO from South Korea.