South Korea reaffirms One China policy amid Taiwan Pavilion controversy at Gwangju Biennale

The foreign ministry on Thursday reaffirmed its basic stance of respecting the "One China" policy amid controversy over the use of the name Taiwan Pavilion at the Gwangju Biennale.

China's pavilion team announced its withdrawal from the biennale earlier in the day in protest of the organizer's decision to use the name Taiwan Pavilion, arguing that the move had brought political issues into the realm of art.

"The issue was decided independently by the private sector in the cultural and artistic sphere and is unrelated to our government's position on Taiwan," ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon said at a regular press briefing.

"We hope this matter will not affect South Korea-China relations or exchanges and cooperation between the two countries," he added.

South Korea has maintained its policy of respecting the "One China" policy since establishing diplomatic relations with China in 1992. According to the joint communique issued that year, Seoul recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and respects Beijing's position that Taiwan is part of China.

Earlier in the day, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul also issued a statement criticizing the use of the name, saying it undermines the political foundation of the bilateral relations.

The 16th Gwangju Biennale, a major contemporary art event in Asia, is set to run from Sept. 5 to Nov. 15 in the southwestern city of Gwangju. (Yonhap)