Pelosi Visits Korean DMZ Amid Escalating Tensions With China Over Taiwan Visit

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) visited the South Korean side of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Aug 4. as part of her controversial Asia trip.

Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan set off alarm bells about a potential conflict with China, which threatened a military response if Pelosi followed through on the trip.

After Pelosi’s arrival, China ratcheted up military activity in the region. Tensions have escalated as China has commenced live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait, including the launch of 11 active missiles near the island.

The regime in Beijing was so displeased with Pelosi’s Taiwan visit that China’s Vice Foreign Minister, Xie Feng, summoned U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns late on Aug. 2. According to China’s state-run media outlets, Xie said the United States will “pay the price” for its “mistakes” of allowing the speaker to visit the island.

China’s Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang accused the United States of “playing with fire” in a statement. He said he has lodged a “strong protest” with the White House National Security Council and the U.S. State Department.

After visiting Taiwan, Pelosi traveled to South Korea, another U.S. ally, where she met with top South Korean legislators before moving on to visit the DMZ. Currently, around 29,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed in the southern half of the peninsula.

“It was a privilege to engage with American heroes in uniform on the ground in Korea, led by Gen. Paul LaCamera, Commander, U.S. Forces Korea. During visits to the Demilitarized Zone/Joint Security Area (DMZ/JSA) and Osan Air Base, we conveyed the gratitude of the Congress and the Country for the patriotic service of our Servicemembers, who stand as sentinels of Democracy on the Korean peninsula,” Pelosi said in an Aug. 4 statement.

“The United States and South Korea share a

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