The Blue House addressed North Korea’s reaction to the joint statement from the Korea-European Union (EU) summit, affirming that the government will steadfastly pursue a long-term strategy for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.
A Blue House official elaborated during a press briefing, stating that the EU also endorses the administration’s efforts to reduce tensions and establish peace in the region.
In their joint statement, South Korea and the EU condemned third-party support, particularly from North Korea, that enables the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. They also firmly rejected North Korea’s claims of nuclear power status, emphasizing that such claims will never be recognized.
On June 13, North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department 10 criticized South Korea, labeling it as an unchanging enemy that has institutionalized hostility and confrontation.
The spokesperson further alleged that South Korea’s professed respect for the system and non-pursuit of hostile actions were mere pretenses, asserting that South Korea is the primary adversary, incapable of existing without hostility toward the state.
A senior Blue House official, however, clarified that the joint statement’s condemnation of North Korea reflects the principled position consistently held by the administration. The official added that this statement is based on positions it has previously communicated to the international community, addressing both North Korea’s nuclear program and the situation in Ukraine.