South Korea Reaffirms One-China Policy and Taiwan Position

The government of the Republic of Korea reaffirmed its diplomatic position that Taiwan is part of China on June 18, 2026. Nam Jin, director-general for Northeast Asian and Central Asian Affairs at the South Korean Foreign Ministry, stated that the country continues to recognize the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. Nam cited the 1992 Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations as the basis for this stance, noting that the position has remained unchanged across successive administrations.

This reaffirmation follows a pattern of diplomatic consistency established earlier in the year. In January, President Lee Jae Myung emphasized during a state visit to China that the Republic of Korea would uphold the foundational positions and core interests that led to the establishment of bilateral ties, asserting that the government has never deviated from this position.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China responded positively to the remarks. A spokesperson for the ministry expressed hope that South Korea will remain true to the shared will of its diplomatic ties and honor the political commitments necessary to maintain the foundation of China-ROK relations.