In an interview with Brazilian daily Folha de S.Paulo, Yoon, who is in Peru for the G20 summit, said, "The United States and China are, for [South Korea], very important partners of cooperation. So, I consider it not a case of choosing one or the other country."
The bilateral alliance with the U.S. is a "comprehensive global strategic alliance that shares values, interests, and a global vision, and I can affirm that it is the central axis of our diplomacy. China, in turn, is a longtime neighbor and our largest trading partner, with whom we have developed a strategic cooperation partnership," he added.
Yoon's remarks sparked speculation about a possible shift toward a more balanced approach in the Yoon administration's diplomatic strategy.
However, a senior official at the presidential office explained that Seoul has consistently focused on "pursuing national interests," while emphasizing the importance of maintaining "high-level communication with China."
The latest favorable atmosphere between Seoul and Beijing followed Yoon's talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru last weekend, the first such meeting between the two countries in about two years.
China has recently been making overtures to South Korea, a move largely seen as part of Xi's efforts to improve ties with Seoul in preparation for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's second term.
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