South Korea's foreign minister vows 'frank' talks with China as global tensions grow

Diplomacy

Published: 13 May. 2024, 15:56 Updated: 13 May. 2024, 18:14

South Korea's foreign minister vows 'frank' talks with China as global tensions grow

Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul speaks to reporters at Gimpo International Airport ahead of his departure for Beijing. He was set to hold bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi later that day. [YONHAP]

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said Monday he would have "frank" talks to lay the foundation for the development of bilateral ties with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, ahead of talks scheduled for later that day in Beijing.

"We will take an important first step in creating new momentum in the development of South Korea-China relations," Cho told reporters at Gimpo International Airport Monday morning before he embarked on a two-day trip to Beijing.

"This will be an important opportunity to promote strategic communication on Korean Peninsula issues and the regional and global situation, as well as on ways to improve bilateral relations in a difficult geopolitical environment."

Cho's trip marks the first trip to Beijing by a Korean foreign minister in more than six years.

Since taking the post of Seoul's top envoy, Cho has reiterated his determination to redirect relations between their two countries in areas where they can cooperate but also believes in speaking his mind to Beijing.

"I will have a frank and in-depth conversation with Foreign Minister Wang," Cho said, stressing he will make his "position clear on the issues of principle, but focus on areas where we share the great potential for cooperation to lay a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations."

The visit comes at an opportune time as Seoul seeks to manage bilateral ties with Beijing that have cooled in recent years, especially as South Korea has aligned itself closely with the United States, its security partner, and rekindled relations with neighbor Japan, with whom it shares similar values.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, center, speaks at a meeting with Korean businesspeople in China in Beijing Monday, ahead of his talks Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Cho will hold a one-on-one meeting with Wang late Monday. Wang is expected to host a dinner banquet for Cho and his delegation afterward.

Responding to a reporter's question at Gimpo Airport, Cho indicated he would raise sensitive issues, including the matter of China's forced repatriation of North Korean defectors during the talks.

"Because it is a matter of concern for our government, we will, of course, raise the issue and listen to China's opinion," Cho said.

Cho also expressed his intention to raise concerns about the suspected military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which China has distanced itself from.

"It is an issue that will be raised when discussing the regional and international situation," Cho said. "North Korea-Russia military cooperation is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions."

He said he plans to "urge China to play a constructive role."

Regarding the North Korean nuclear issue in general, Cho noted that the "surrounding geopolitical environment has changed a lot over the past few years, making progress difficult," citing plans to "discuss in depth how China can play a more active role."

China and Russia are two of the five veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council and often have been accused of turning a blind eye to the North's evasion of sanctions.

Beijing, in turn, could take issue with South Korea's potential partnership in the Aukus alliance between the United States, Britain and Australia, but Cho stressed he plans to "make our position clear on issues of principle."

Cho and Wang are also expected to discuss a planned trilateral summit with Japan expected to take place in Seoul in late May.

Then-Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha last visited Beijing in November 2017 during the Moon Jae-in administration.

Former Foreign Minister Park Jin, Cho's immediate predecessor, visited Qingdao, Shandong Province, for a foreign ministerial meeting in August 2022, where he met with Wang.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]