Yoon’s office awaits “China’s appropriate measures on Xing” over comments on Seoul’s foreign policy
President Yoon Suk Yeol criticized Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming’s outspoken criticism of Korea’s foreign policy, saying he doubts the envoy’s “attitude of mutual respect and reciprocity as a diplomat.”
According to presidential office officials, Yoon made the remarks during a closed-door session of a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, referring to Xing’s recent comments.
An official quoted Yoon as saying he has doubts whether Xing is aware of “mutual respect or reciprocity as a diplomat” and that “Xing’s inappropriate conduct makes the Korean public uncomfortable.”
Another office official said Yoon stressed that relations between the two countries are “based on the great principle of mutual respect and shared benefits.”
The controversy surrounding the envoy ignited during his dinner with the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung last Thursday. Xing read a prepared statement in front of reporters that night, expressing his dissatisfaction with Korea’s growing alignment with the United States.
“With the United States putting full pressure on China, some people seem to be betting that the United States will prevail and China will be defeated. That is a wrong bet… Those who are betting on the loss of China will surely regret their decision in the future,” Xing said.
The comments drew strong criticism from the Korean government, with First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin summoning Xing to the ministry to lodge a strong protest against the envoy’s “irrational and provocative” rhetoric. In response, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Nong Rong called Korean Ambassador to Beijing Chung Jae-ho on Saturday to protest the Korean Foreign Ministry’s “unfair response.”
A senior official in the presidential office said Seoul is waiting for Beijing to take “appropriate measures on Xing.”
“Xing’s logic in explaining Korea-China relations does not reflect the facts,” the official said.
“We have announced that we are cooperating with free democratic allies on the basis of our constitutional spirit, as well as seeking healthy relations with China based on mutual and reciprocal respect, but Xing’s comments were misleading, as if we were marginalizing a certain country,” said the official. saying.
“As the top envoy to Korea, (Xing) has to seek neighborly relations. Even if there is a problem, a diplomat should solve it behind closed doors and implement the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in public to promote friendly relations… Now we are waiting for China to reflect on this (Xing’s comments) and take action. appropriate measures. measures.”
In response to the official’s comments, the Chinese Foreign Ministry indirectly dismissed Seoul’s request for appropriate measures.
“Along with Seoul’s position (that Beijing should take action against Xing), we are paying attention to a media outlet reporting defamatory speculation, which has nothing to do with the facts,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said on Tuesday. Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Wenbin. “And we express our regret.”
On Monday, a Korean newspaper reported that Xing stayed for free at a luxury resort on Ulleung Island last month. The resort is known to have a private cabin that costs more than $7,800 (9.93 million won) per night and is run by a company that does business in China.
“It is part of Ambassador Xing Haiming’s job to engage widely with people from various walks of life in Korea with the aim of increasing understanding, promoting cooperation and advancing bilateral relations and I want to stress again that this should not be too sensational as an important topic of discussion,” added the spokesperson.
The ruling People’s Power Party has also stepped up its rhetoric against Xing, with Rep. Kim Seok-ki calling on Seoul to declare the envoy “persona non grata” or a foreign diplomat who is asked by the host government to call him into office. . country of origin.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/06/113_352880.html
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