Sehun and Yang Jiechi Tianjin Meeting... Coordinating South Korea-China Armistice Declaration?

Officials in charge of the Ceasefire Declaration at the Blue House assist Director Suh Hoon
Yang Jiechi: "Let's contribute to promoting world peace, stability, and development"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Seo Hoon, Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House, met with Yang Jiechi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party in charge of foreign affairs, on the 2nd to discuss bilateral issues including the Korean Peninsula. Seo and Yang first met in Busan last August. This meeting was held at the invitation of the Chinese side.

At 5 p.m. local time, Seo met Yang at a hotel in downtown Tianjin and said, "I am glad to meet again in the historic city of Tianjin," expressing gratitude for warmly welcoming the Korean delegation. Seo added, "Despite the global difficulties caused by COVID-19, South Korea and China have maintained active communication through calls between leaders and have achieved steady development."

Seo Hoon, Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House (left), and Yang Jiechi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China in charge of foreign affairs, held talks on the 2nd in Tianjin, China. Photo by Tianjin Joint Press Corps

Seo stated, "Next year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China," and said this meeting would be an important opportunity to put heads together and discuss how to develop the relationship over the next 30 years. He emphasized that it is time to further strengthen cooperation and communication for mutual respect and common interests between the two countries.

Seo said, "The two countries have cooperated toward the common goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace," and added, "We look forward to closer cooperation to advance the peace process on the Korean Peninsula."

Seo emphasized the importance of South Korea-China relations by saying, "Good neighbors cannot be replaced by money." This phrase was used by President Xi Jinping during a call with former President Moon Jae-in last year.

Finally, Seo expressed gratitude for the Chinese government's prompt cooperation regarding the urea solution (AdBlue) crisis and added that both sides should closely consult to prevent similar issues from occurring.

Yang Jiechi welcomed Seo warmly, saying, "I am glad that my longtime friend Seo has come to China." He noted, "Strategic communication between China and South Korea is necessary and important as international and regional situations are rapidly changing," and added, "Let us strive to make bilateral relations even better and contribute to promoting world peace, stability, and development."

Yang emphasized, "Since establishing diplomatic relations, China and South Korea have been important neighbors and cooperative partners who have promoted rapid and comprehensive development of bilateral relations based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation," and said, "China will steadfastly pursue opening up to the outside world and provide more opportunities for the development of countries worldwide."

After their opening remarks, Seo and Yang held a closed-door meeting. The key agenda of this meeting has not been disclosed. However, it is presumed that the main topic was the progress on the declaration of the end of the Korean War between South Korea and the United States. During the meeting, Yang is expected to reaffirm China's position on participating in the declaration of the end of the war and convey China's stance to the South Korean side.

Present at the meeting from the Blue House were Kim Jun-gu, Secretary for Peace Planning, and Yoo Seung-min, Administrative Officer of the Peace Planning Secretariat. The Peace Planning Secretariat is the organization responsible for the declaration of the end of the war within the Blue House.

On the Chinese side, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li and Counselor Chen Shaochun of the Asian Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mainly attended.

Meanwhile, Seo is scheduled to hold a press briefing for Korean reporters before departing on the 3rd.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.