Chinese ambassador's conduct irks Koreans: Yoon
President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps
Yoon's office awaits 'China's appropriate measures on Xing' over remarks on Seoul's foreign policy
By Nam Hyun-woo
President Yoon Suk Yeol slammed Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming's open criticism of Korea's foreign policy, saying he is doubtful of the envoy's “attitude of mutual respect and reciprocity as a diplomat.”
According to officials at the presidential office, Yoon made the comments during a closed-door session of a Cabinet meeting, Tuesday, referring to Xing's recent remarks.
One official quoted Yoon as saying he is doubtful whether Xing is aware of “mutual respect or reciprocity as a diplomat” and that “Xing's inappropriate conduct is making the Korean public feel uncomfortable.”
Another official at the office 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 was ignited during his dinner with main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung last Thursday. Xing read a prepared statement in front of reporters that evening, expressing discontent over Korea's increasing alignment with the United States.
“With the U.S. exercising full-fledged pressure on China, some people seem to bet that the U.S. will prevail and China will be defeated. That is a wrong bet … Those who bet on China's loss will surely regret their decision in the future,” Xing said.
The remarks 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 Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong called in Korea's Ambassador to Beijing Chung Jae-ho, Saturday, to protest the Korean foreign ministry's “unfair response.”
Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming, right, drinks tea during a meeting with main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Jae-myung at the diplomat's residence in Seoul, June 8. Joint Press Corps
A senior official at the presidential office said Seoul is waiting for Beijing to take “proper measures on Xing.”
“Xing's logic of explaining Korea-China relations does not reflect the facts,” the official said.
“We have announced that we are cooperating with free democratic allies based on our constitutional spirit as well as pursuing healthy relations with China based on reciprocal and mutual respect, but Xing's comments were misleading, as if we are sidelining a certain country,” the official said.
“As a top envoy to Korea, (Xing) has to pursue neighborly relations. Even if there is a problem, a diplomat should solve it behind closed doors and put the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations into practice before the public to promote friendly relations … We are now waiting for China to ponder upon this (Xing's comments) and take appropriate measures.”
In response to the official's comments, China's foreign ministry indirectly dismissed Seoul's call for appropriate measures.
“Along with Seoul's position (that Beijing should take measures against Xing), we are paying attention to a news outlet reporting mud-slinging speculations, which have nothing to do with facts,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, Tuesday. “And we express our regret.”
On Monday, a Korean newspaper reported that Xing stayed at a luxurious resort on Ulleung Island for free last month. The resort is known to have a private cottage which costs more than $7,800 (9.93 million won) per night and is run by a company that operates businesses in China.
“It is part of Ambassador Xing Haiming's job to engage extensively with people from various walks of life in Korea with an aim of increasing understanding, promoting cooperation and advancing bilateral relations and I want to stress again that this should not be overly sensationalized as a major topic of discussion,” the spokesperson added.
The ruling People Power Party also escalated its rhetoric against Xing, with Rep. Kim Seok-ki calling on Seoul to declare the envoy as “persona non grata” or a foreign diplomat who is asked by the host government to be recalled to his or her home country.