Yoon-Xi Jinping Talk This Afternoon... "Close Consultation on North Korea ICBM"

Yoon's Side: "Unusual to Call as President-Elect... Seeking Cooperative Development Relationship Measures"

Kim Eun-hye, President-elect's spokesperson, is briefing at the transition committee press conference in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Geum Boryeong] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol will have a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping at 5:30 PM on the 25th.

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the president-elect, held a briefing at the transition office in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, in the morning and stated, "This was arranged as a congratulatory call for President-elect Yoon's victory."

The call is expected to cover the cooperative development relationship between the two countries and consultations regarding North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch. Spokesperson Kim said, "Since the call has been arranged, efforts to establish basic principles and consensus for the development of bilateral relations are expected," adding, "This year marks the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations, and we expect ways to develop a more cooperative relationship will be sought."

He also said, "Close consultations are expected regarding the serious situation on the Korean Peninsula caused by North Korea's ICBM launch," and "It will be impossible not to mention the provocations that have raised tensions on the Korean Peninsula." President-elect Yoon conducted a situation check with Kim Seong-han, the secretary of the transition committee's foreign affairs and security division, and other members until the night before regarding this matter.

Spokesperson Kim added that it is unusual for the call to be made while Yoon is still president-elect. He said, "As far as I know, President Xi has never had a phone call with a national leader in the status of president-elect. It is that unusual," and speculated, "This likely reflects expectations for Korea-China relations under the Yoon administration."

Regarding the possibility that China's ban on Korean Wave content (Hallyu ban) might be discussed during the call, he replied, "We have talked a lot about confident diplomacy so far. Korea and China have been key trading partners," and added, "Opinions will be exchanged on what is mutually needed for the sustainable development of Korea-China relations." When asked who requested the call first, he responded, "It is customary not to disclose that."

There has been no progress in a meeting between President Moon Jae-in and President-elect Yoon. Spokesperson Kim said, "I understand that President Moon proposed a dialogue, but as far as I know, there has been no contact from the Blue House at the working level since President Moon's remarks."

Regarding a meeting with former President Park Geun-hye, he said, "I understand that lawyer Yoo Young-ha exchanged brief greetings while receiving a farewell flower arrangement from the transition committee," adding, "Since former President Park's recovery is the priority, it would not be easy to arrange and propose a schedule regardless of her health condition."

On the personnel related to the new government's presidential secretariat, he replied, "We have just entered the review stage, and nothing has been decided yet."

Meanwhile, President-elect Yoon had a phone call with Park Hong-geun, the new floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, the day before. Spokesperson Kim said, "I understand that Floor Leader Park, as chair of the Euljiro Committee, has shown much interest in the vulnerable in our society," and added, "Since President-elect Yoon is interested in prompt compensation for small business owners, they exchanged words hoping to lead good cooperation in the National Assembly where their views align."

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