Presidential Office: "Xi Jinping's Visit to Korea to Be Pursued Separately from Korea-Japan-China Summit" (Comprehensive)

Presidential Office: "China to Send Premier to Korea-Japan-China Summit"
National Security Office Chief: "Will Discuss Diplomatically Through Channels"

The Presidential Office responded on the 24th regarding the possibility of Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting South Korea in connection with the Korea-Japan-China summit, stating, "Even if the Korea-Japan-China summit scheduled for the end of the year takes place, China has always sent the Premier." This drew a line against speculations linking the Korea-Japan-China summit with President Xi's potential visit to South Korea.

A Presidential Office official answered this way when a reporter met at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon and asked, "Is the visit being considered as a separate bilateral summit rather than in connection with the Korea-Japan-China summit?"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo held talks with President Xi Jinping during his visit to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. Regarding this, a senior official of our government said in a briefing after the meeting, "During the conversation, President Xi himself mentioned that he would seriously consider the issue of visiting South Korea."

President Yoon Suk-yeol and Chinese President Xi Jinping are shaking hands at the Korea-China summit held at a hotel in Bali, Indonesia, on November 15, 2022 (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

The official added, "President Xi will not attend that event (the Korea-Japan-China summit)," emphasizing, "The issue of President Xi's visit to South Korea will be pursued separately from that."

Director Cho also said, "Realistically, it is difficult within this year, and we should discuss it around next year," adding, "Generally, rushing leads to failure in diplomacy. The recent talks with China were conducted on equal and mutually respectful terms with a relaxed negotiation stance, not by going there and pleading earnestly."

President Xi last visited South Korea on a state visit in July 2014 during the Park Geun-hye administration. Since then, former President Moon Jae-in visited China twice in December 2017 and December 2019 during his term, so the diplomatic community perceives that it is now President Xi's turn to visit South Korea.

Regarding President Xi's remark that "I hope South Korea reflects in its policies and actions the importance of developing China-Korea relations together, respects each other, and maintains the broad direction of friendly cooperation," the official responded, "China-Korea relations have always emphasized fundamental positions," and added, "As long as the principles of mutual respect and adherence to international norms are maintained, we have consistently held the position that cooperation will continue."

National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong also appeared on MBN broadcast that day and explained, "President Xi himself has already mentioned the necessity of visiting South Korea several times, so based on that, we aim to have a dignified and cool discussion through diplomatic channels with China to make it happen." Since the Korea-Japan-China summit is being negotiated with the goal of being held at the end of this year, the intention is not to hastily push for President Xi's visit within this year.

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