Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung stated on Wednesday that South Korea could potentially serve as a mediator to help ease the escalating tensions between China and Japan, emphasizing that taking sides would likely worsen the situation.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee addressed this issue during a press conference with foreign media. He was responding to a question about whether South Korea would support Japan amidst tensions that arose following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments regarding Taiwan.

Lee remarked, "Taking sides would only escalate the conflict. This applies to both personal relationships and international relations. Rather than taking sides, it's better to seek ways to coexist." He further noted that minimizing conflict and mediating where possible could be desirable.

Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have deteriorated after Prime Minister Takaichi indicated that a military attack on Taiwan might trigger a response from Japan's Self-Defense Forces, describing it as a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan.

In response, China has advised its citizens against traveling to Japan and has halted its recent decision to resume seafood imports from the country. China views Taiwan, which has been self-governed since 1949, as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary, and has consistently opposed any challenges to this stance.