South Korea calls for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait

South Korea on Tuesday (December 30) urged for cross-strait relations to develop peacefully through dialogue and cooperation as China claimed to fire rockets into waters off northern and southern Taiwan, on the second day of its most extensive war games.

South Korean foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said Seoul wants peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to be maintained, adding that its basic position on Taiwan remains unchanged. South Korea, like most countries, only has formal diplomatic ties with Beijing, not Taipei.

China’s Eastern Theatre Command said live-firing would take place until 6 p.m. (1000 GMT), affecting the sea and airspace of five locations surrounding Taiwan.

Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed live-firing drills had taken place to the island’s north on Tuesday morning, and debris had entered its contiguous zone, defined as 24 nautical miles offshore. Reuters was not immediately able to verify whether China also launched rockets in the other zones it had demarcated for the exercises.

Named "Justice Mission 2025," China’s drills began 11 days after the U.S. announced a record $11.1 billion arms package to Taiwan and are Beijing's largest exercises to date by area and the closest yet to the island.

Production: Yunji Ha, Heejung Jung/Reuters