President Yoon questions 'attitude' of Chinese ambassador

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks at a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan District, central Seoul on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

President Yoon Suk Yeol said at a Tuesday Cabinet meeting that Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming's recent comments brought into question whether the envoy "has an attitude of mutual respect or friendship befitting a diplomat," according to multiple sources.

The president’s remarks, which were made during the closed-door portion of the meeting, suggested that the ongoing diplomatic row between Seoul and Beijing over the ambassador's recent criticism of Korea's foreign policy is not yet over.

According to officials in attendance who spoke to Yonhap, President Yoon also said that “the Korean people are displeased with Ambassador Xing’s inappropriate behavior.”

During a Thursday meeting with Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, the Chinese ambassador reeled off a 15-minute prepared speech in front of local reporters venting Beijing’s grievances and warning Korea against siding with the United States.

In his comments, Xing not only said that “some are betting that the United States will win and China will lose,” but he also warned that “those who now bet on China’s defeat will surely regret it later.”

Xing’s remarks, which have been interpreted as a warning to Seoul against siding with Washington over Beijing, quickly ignited a huge political storm in Korea, with some lawmakers in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s People Power Party calling it the “worst diplomatic disaster” Korea has ever faced.

On Friday, Korean Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin summoned Xing to the ministry headquarters in downtown Seoul and “sternly warned” against the diplomat’s “unreasonable and provocative” comments, the ministry briefed local reporters.

Chang was also said to have told the envoy that such remarks not only run counter to the Vienna Convention and diplomatic customs but also attempt to “intervene” in Korea’s domestic politics.

China’s Foreign Ministry then summoned Korea’s ambassador to Beijing on Saturday to complain about Seoul’s criticism of Ambassador Xing.

In a statement on Sunday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that its assistant foreign minister, Nong Rong, conveyed Beijing’s “serious concern and dissatisfaction” over Seoul’s “unfair” reaction to last Thursday’s meeting between Xing and Lee.

According to the ministry, Nong explained to Korean Ambassador to China Chung Jae-ho on Saturday that it was Xing’s job to meet with various figures in Korea, adding that the meetings were meant to promote understanding and cooperation between Seoul and Beijing.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]