National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met with the third-ranking member of the Communist Party of China on the 5th, explaining that South Korea is maintaining a stable situation despite difficulties due to impeachment. He also urged the attendance of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which will be held in Gyeongju in November this year.
On this day, Woo met with Zhao Leji, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, saying, "I understand there are concerns abroad that South Korea might be unstable at the moment," and added, "We have created a new history of democracy by promptly stopping the declaration of a state of emergency through the National Assembly, and now, as everything is being handled according to the constitutional and legal procedures, South Korea is not unstable at all."
He also stated, "I would like to once again express my gratitude to the Chinese leaders who have shown their trust in South Korea and expressed their concerns during this process."
Woo also mentioned the APEC summit to be held in Gyeongju in November. He remarked, "This is the first international conference that South Korea is hosting after overcoming such difficulties, and the National Assembly is doing its utmost to successfully conclude that meeting," and added, "I expect President Xi to certainly attend this APEC summit."
Chairperson Zhao responded, saying, "China and South Korea, as neighboring countries, should naturally exchange visits frequently like relatives, which is beneficial for promoting mutual understanding, building trust, and advancing cooperation," and noted, "The two countries are geographically close, and our cultures can connect to create favorable conditions for exchange and cooperation in various areas."
Zhao added, "In the face of the turbulent international and regional situations, the two countries should uphold the original intention of diplomatic relations and maintain friendly directions, ensuring that we firmly establish ourselves as trustworthy neighbors and mutually achieving partners," and emphasized, "We must strengthen communication, eliminate obstacles, and push for the development of the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership in a sustainable, healthy, and stable direction."
Speaker Woo is on an official visit to China from today until the 9th at the invitation of Chairperson Zhao. According to the National Assembly Speaker's Office, during the first schedule of the visit, discussions will include enhancing economic cooperation and preserving and managing the historic sites of the independence movement in China. On the 7th, he will attend the opening ceremony of the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games, where a meeting with President Xi is being mentioned as a possibility.
Accompanying the visit are Democratic Party members Kim Tae-nyeon, Park Jeong, and Kim Yong-man, People Power Party members Lee Heon-seung and Bae Hyun-jin, and Justice Party member Shin Jang-sik.