Expulsion of Xing Haiming? ... Even the Ruling Party Says "China Should Take Him"

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming's controversial remark that "not betting on China will lead to regret" has sparked calls within the ruling party to designate him as an undesirable person and expel him. However, since this could ultimately worsen Korea-China relations, some voices suggest an alternative approach: rather than expelling him ourselves, China should take him back.

Former lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook said on the 14th on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' in response to the host's question, "Should Ambassador Xing be designated as an undesirable person?" that "I don't think that is an entirely impossible solution," but added, "Even if not expulsion, it would be appropriate for them (China) to take him away."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

She argued that expelling him from our side could further deteriorate bilateral relations, so China should "tie up the loose ends." She said, "We hope the conflict does not reach that point, but the fundamental variable is the sentiment of our people. Right now, the public is very angry," adding, "If our government gives the impression that it cannot properly handle this, how can we expect Korea-China relations to become healthy in the future?"

Former lawmaker Yoon also said, "The ambassador's most important duties are to meet many people, listen to them, and report back to his home country, but would our country's key figures meet with him?" She added, "Then it becomes very difficult for him to perform his duties, so whether China takes him back in a good way or a bad way, that will be the outcome."

Former Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won opposed expulsion on YTN's 'News King with Park Ji-hoon,' saying, "If we expel the Chinese ambassador over this issue, naturally China will expel our ambassador in Beijing, which would further strain relations and possibly cut off dialogue," and added, "Even in the current situation, the basic premise that we must still maintain good relations with China is necessary."

On the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae said on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' "We need to examine whether China truly recognizes South Korea as a sovereign state in various respects or if it is conducting condescending diplomacy," and added, "If China truly wants smooth Korea-China relations and respects the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea, it should immediately recall Ambassador Xing to his home country to resolve this issue."

The presidential office responded that it is waiting for China's measures regarding Ambassador Xing, but China mentioned "personal attack reports against Ambassador Xing" and said, "Do not make him a subject of controversy," effectively refusing to take action. Lawmaker Cho criticized this, saying, "How little must they think of our country to act like that," and pointed out, "China's arrogance was clearly revealed in this matter."

In political circles, there are also criticisms that it is not good for the presidential office to engage directly in a full-scale diplomatic confrontation. Especially regarding reports that President Yoon Suk-yeol compared Ambassador Xing to 'Yuan Shikai,' who manipulated Joseon state affairs, during a cabinet meeting the previous day, People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, a former chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, expressed concern, saying, "It looks as if the president himself has stepped to the forefront of a diplomatic fight."

Lawmaker Yoon said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "The president seemed to be sharing his personal thoughts in a private setting. However, even if it was private, those who disclose it outside are also problematic," and added, "The president merely expressed his personal opinion, but it was leaked to the media outside, causing controversy and inevitably worsening Korea-China relations."

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