South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin stressed that his country strives to maintain a balanced relationship with China and that the relationship between the two countries will be stronger if China respects Korea and Korea understands China’s position to achieve coexistence and prosperity.

Jin said at a press conference that Seoul “is not subservient to Western countries regarding relations with China,” noting that he “emphasized during talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday. Last Thursday, two countries must achieve partnership and cooperation on an equal basis, on the basis of mutual respect and accumulated trust.

The Foreign Minister noted that “the new government of South Korea is committed to actively participating in achieving cooperation and joint action in order to protect human rights and the rule of law.”

The South Korean Foreign Minister is expected to visit China in the near future.