5 DPK lawmakers on visit to China amid tensions over envoy's remarks
Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon, second from right, the chairperson of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's committee aimed at tackling the public economic crisis speaks at a meeting held at the National Assembly, March 22. Yonhap
Five lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are on a visit to China, the party said Wednesday, amid heightened tensions between the two countries over Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming's remarks, which were strongly denounced as disrespectful to Korea.
The lawmakers ― Reps. Kim Tae-nyeon, Hong Ihk-pyo, Koh Yong-jin, Hong Kee-won and Hong Sung-kook ― arrived in Beijing on Monday for a five-day visit for meetings with people from Chinese political and business circles, the DPK said in a press release.
They have met with officials from China's National People's Congress and the foreign ministry.
During those meetings, Chinese officials requested that Korea reaffirm its position on Beijing's "One China" policy, as written in a joint statement in 1992 to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to sources.
"They raised an issue with Korea only emphasizing its opposition to changing the status quo by force in the Taiwan Strait without clearly expressing its position on the 'One China' policy," a source said.
The trip came days after the Chinese ambassador sparked a furor by saying "those who bet" on China's defeat in its rivalry with the United States "will definitely regret it," during a meeting with DPK leader Lee Jae-myung on Thursday.
The remarks were interpreted as a warning to Seoul against aligning itself with Washington.
Korea's foreign ministry summoned the envoy and issued a strong warning. The presidential office also said it is waiting for Beijing to take an "appropriate measure," apparently pressuring China to take measures to recall its envoy.
The ruling People Power Party lashed out at not only Xing, but also DPK leader Lee, accusing him of providing the envoy with a chance to make such remarks. The five DPK lawmakers could come under fire for making the trip at the wrong time.
"Though Korea-China relations are not at ease, this visit is aimed at seeking improvement in relations as China is important for our businesses and the economy," a DPK official said. "This has been scheduled for several months." (Yonhap)