Former leader of the major opposition party, Park Geun-hye, will head to Beijing Wednesday to meet with Chinese leaders in her capacity as a special envoy of President-elect Lee Myung-bak, Lee's aides said.
Once Lee's archrival in the Grand National Party presidential nomination race, former party chairwoman Park remains an influential figure. Some say she may succeed Lee as South Korea's president five years from now, although other analysts say it is much too early to make a prediction in South Korea's fluid political scene.
"During her visit to China, special envoy Park will meet with President Hu Jintao, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Wang Jiarui, head of the Communist Party's international department, and other Chinese leaders," Lee's transition team said in a press release.
Park will explain the incoming administration's diplomatic and economic directions and discuss ways of promoting Seoul-Beijing ties, the team added.
The Hu-Park meeting will be held on Thursday according to Park's itinerary, which also includes her talks with Chinese business leaders and members of the Beijing Olympics organizing committee.
Park is Lee's second envoy to head to one of the four regional powers _ Japan, China, Russia and the United States.
Lee's older brother Lee Sang-deuk, vice speaker of the National Assembly, flew to Tokyo on Tuesday.
Two other political heavyweights are scheduled to begin their trips this weekend to the U.S. and Russia.
The Chinese government hailed Park's visit.
"China sees her trip as very important," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. "China sincerely hopes that the two nations' relations will develop further through establishing a closer bilateral dialogue channel."
Some newspapers here, however, seemed more interested in the position Park will take on domestic politics when she returns to Seoul on Saturday than her departure.
The GNP's two main factions, one led by Park and the other by President-elect Lee, are locked in a feud over the nominations for the April general elections.
Those who support Park worry that the Lee side will monopolize the nominations.
Park has said openly that she would use every means to block any kind of "closed-room" nominations.
Details on the party's nominations including the timing will likely be decided soon. A local newspaper headline read, "Park goes to China as special envoy, but she may return home as a warrior."