DRPK Condemns Washington's Meddling in Taiwan
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North Korea accuses Washington of increasing tensions in the Asia-Pacific by pushing Taiwan for independence.
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North Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho
North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister, Pak Myong Ho, accused on Saturday the US of escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region through "indiscreet meddling" in issues concerning Taiwan.
The DPRK's statements came in the backdrop of Biden's statement during his CNN town hall interview on Thursday, when he was asked whether the US would defend Taiwan if it came under attack by China, to which the Democrat President said "Yes," adding "we have a commitment to that."
Despite this, White House Spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Friday that Biden had no intent to convey a change in policy on Taiwan, adding that the US will hold onto its obligation, by law, to support Taiwan's self-defense, and will continue to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo.
"Strategic Ambiguity"
The White House is still guided by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, in which Congress mandated the US to provide weapons to "enable Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities." The law does not clarify whether the US would militarily intervene at some point.
China urged the US on Friday to tread carefully on the topic of Taiwan: "China has no room for compromise on issues involving its core interests," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in reply to Biden's statements.
Reports have indicated that Washington is attempting to prevent escalation from China, and contain a rise in tensions after Biden's statements by confirming that its policy toward the island has not changed.
China's stance is that Taiwan, which is located across from its eastern shore, is part of its land. The two split in 1949 during the civil war, in which China's Communist Party took over mainland China, with the rival Kuomintang retreating into Taiwan, where they formed a government.
