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The presidential office moved to clarify a controversy over a joint statement issued by President Lee Jae-myung, who is touring Europe, during a summit with the European Union, after the statement included strong language condemning North Korea-Russia military cooperation and addressing North Korea's denuclearization.
A senior presidential official met with reporters at the Rome Press Center on the 12th (local time), stressing, "There is nothing new," and adding, "It is at the level of reaffirming principles that previous governments have stated in the international community." Regarding the language condemning North Korea-Russia military cooperation included in the Korea-EU joint statement, the official explained, "A joint statement with the EU is a document that comprehensively addresses not only bilateral relations but also major international issues," and "What is contained in the joint statement organizes positions that we have already publicly stated and committed to in the international community."
While some have interpreted the phrase "strongly condemn" included in the joint statement as the Lee Jae-myung administration's first use of "condemn," the official's point was that this too is an overinterpretation. In fact, on October 22, 2024, when the National Intelligence Service publicly confirmed that North Korean troops had been dispatched to Russia, the presidential office held an emergency National Security Council (NSC) standing committee meeting and stated, "North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia is a grave security threat to the international community," and "We strongly condemn this." The presidential office's position is that the joint statement merely reaffirmed the existing "Republic of Korea" government position that North Korea-Russia military cooperation threatens international security and violates UN Security Council resolutions.
The official also drew a line against interpreting such language as a change in the current government's North Korea policy. "Efforts to ease tensions with North Korea and establish peace continue," the official said, adding, "We are also seeking progress in relations with Russia while maintaining possible communication." The official continued, "(The two goals) are not in conflict, and the two are always simultaneous goals—stating and pursuing principles as principles, pursuing denuclearization, and pursuing peace settlement and tension reduction."
The official also dismissed the interpretation raised by some that "the level of condemnation against North Korea was raised at the EU's request." The official said, "There are areas where the EU holds a stronger position than we do, but only the common denominators of both sides are reflected in the joint statement," adding, "Even if the other party has a stronger position, the final wording inevitably ends up at the level of our existing position." The official drew a line, stating, "There is nothing that was expressed more strongly because of the EU."
