Presidential Envoy to China: "Promoting Mature South Korea-China Relations... Official Request for Xi Jinping's Visit During APEC"

The presidential special envoy delegation to China, led by former National Assembly Speaker Park Byungseok, has officially requested that President Xi Jinping visit South Korea during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for October.

Park Byeongseok, head of the special envoy delegation to China, is delivering a letter from President Lee Jae-myung to Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in front of President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, on the 24th. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 25, the delegation met with Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Beijing the previous day for talks and a dinner, during which they delivered a personal letter from President Lee Jaemyung and requested President Xi's visit to South Korea. China is set to serve as the chair of APEC next year. The delegation was composed of Park Byungseok as head, along with Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Taenyeon and Park Jeong, and Noh Jaeheon, Chairman of the East Asia Cultural Foundation and son of former President Roh Tae-woo.

The delegation told Minister Wang that "the new government of South Korea will continue to develop the South Korea-U.S. alliance while pursuing the mature development of the 'South Korea-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership' based on national interests and pragmatism."

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Wang "warmly welcomed" the delegation and expressed deep gratitude for the new government's decision to dispatch the special envoys and deliver a message regarding the development of South Korea-China relations. Minister Wang also stated that he would promptly report President Lee's letter to President Xi. Both sides agreed to maintain close communication regarding President Xi's possible visit to South Korea during APEC.

The two sides agreed to work toward achieving tangible results in areas such as people-to-people exchanges, economic cooperation, and supply chains that would be felt by citizens of both countries. Park Byungseok proposed close discussions on the causes of and solutions to the deterioration of friendly sentiment between the peoples of the two nations, to which Minister Wang responded that he would actively cooperate.

Additionally, the delegation emphasized the importance of "mutual respect for issues of shared concern," including the illegal structures that China has unilaterally installed in the West Sea. They also requested special cooperation from the Chinese side to ensure the safety and rights of South Korean nationals in China, as well as the management and preservation of historical sites.

The presidential special envoy delegation to China, led by former National Assembly Speaker Park Byungseok, held talks with Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and others in Beijing, China, on the 24th. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Meanwhile, regarding North Korea, the delegation stated that South Korea would respond firmly to nuclear and missile provocations, but would also seek to resume inter-Korean dialogue and exchanges, and open a path toward peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula through measures to ease military tensions and build trust. They requested China's constructive role in achieving substantive progress on the North Korean nuclear issue and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Minister Wang stated, "China's position on the Korean Peninsula issue remains unchanged," and expressed hope to cooperate with South Korea's new government for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

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