청와대 "양제츠 중국 중앙정치국 위원 21-22일 부산 방문"
China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, will be in South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan on Friday and Saturday for talks with President Moon's new national security adviser Suh Hoon.
It will be the first visit by a high-level Beijing official since Covid-19 emerged late last year.
The meeting is drawing a lot of attention given that the pair will likely discuss a potential South Korea visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Kim Min-ji reports.
Top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi will be visiting South Korea later this week for talks with national security advisor Suh Hoon.
Seoul's presidential office said Wednesday that Yang a leading official in the Communist Party of China is scheduled to be in the southern port city of Busan from Friday through Saturday.
"National Security Advisor Suh Hoon will be holding talks with Yang Jiechi on Saturday morning, which will be followed by a lunch meeting. The two officials will likely share their views on bilateral issues including the COVID-19 response, high-level exchanges and Korean Peninsula affairs."
Seoul's top office added that a potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping will also be discussed.
South Korea and China had been working on the matter,... but the visit has yet to materialize due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Moon administration has been hoping for a summit,... as it could revitalize economic ties with Beijing... which soured after Seoul deployed a U.S. anti-missile system,... and because it could boost support for its peace drive with North Korea.
But, at the same time, it could be a burden for South Korea,... because China, its biggest trading partner, and the U.S., its closest ally have been engaged in geopolitical rivalry.
When asked why the venue for Yang's visit is Busan,... the top office said it was made in consideration of his itinerary and at his request,... and that it had no relevance to the fast-spread of COVID-19 in the Seoul metropolitan area.
Yang's visit would mark the first high-level visit from China since the outbreak.
He last came to South Korea in 2018.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.
