From 'Spy Mention' to the Passage of Yoon's Impeachment Motion... Where Are Korea-China Relations Headed?

As the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol passes the National Assembly threshold, attention is focused on the future of Korea-China relations. During a national address explaining the 'December 3 Emergency Martial Law' incident, President Yoon's remark about a ‘Chinese spy’ has the potential to freeze the recently improving bilateral relations once again. Furthermore, the passage of the impeachment motion is affecting the schedule for replacing the South Korean ambassador to China.

According to diplomatic sources on the 14th, Ambassador Jeong Jae-ho to China had been preparing to conclude his term after former Presidential Secretary Kim Dae-gi was appointed as the new ambassador to China last October. He was scheduled to leave China this month and return to his professorship at Seoul National University.

However, with President Yoon’s impeachment and subsequent suspension of duties, uncertainties have arisen regarding Ambassador Jeong’s farewell and return schedule. The farewell ceremony for Ambassador Jeong, which was planned for the 10th, has also been canceled.

The official appointment of former Secretary Kim to China is also likely to be affected. Kim has already received agr?ment (prior approval for diplomatic envoy) from the Chinese government and was expected to assume his post by the end of this month.

In response, China may also delay the appointment of its new ambassador to South Korea, citing Korea’s political turmoil. Last month, China appointed Dai Bing as its deputy representative to the UN as the new ambassador to South Korea, with his arrival expected around the 23rd of this month.

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If the ambassadorial appointments of both countries are postponed, concerns will arise over a diplomatic channel vacuum. This is because communication channels would be blocked at a time when the improving relations between the two countries have deteriorated again.

Following China’s inclusion of South Korea in its 'unilateral visa-free' list last month and the Korea-China summit held after two years during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, the previously strained Korea-China relations had been on an improving trend.

However, prior to the passage of the impeachment motion, President Yoon’s remarks on December 12 during a national address, which mentioned a spy case involving Chinese nationals and solar power issues, are being seen as pouring cold water on the improving Korea-China relations. The Chinese government responded with criticism, stating it felt “deep surprise and dissatisfaction.”

Expectations that Chinese President Xi Jinping would visit Korea for the first time in 11 years during the APEC summit opening in Gyeongju around late October next year are also losing momentum. Additionally, concerns are being raised that ongoing negotiations for the release of a Korean resident arrested in China last December on charges of violating the anti-espionage law could be affected, as the individual is expected to be indicted soon.

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