Seo Hoon-Yang Jiechi Meeting Begins... First High-Level Chinese Visit to Korea Since COVID-19

High-Level Korea-China Diplomatic and Security Officials Begin Talks in Busan... Discuss COVID-19 Response and President Xi Jinping's Visit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Yang Jiechi, a member of the Communist Party Political Bureau responsible for foreign affairs and the first senior Chinese official to visit South Korea since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), began talks with Suh Hoon, Director of the National Security Office, on the morning of the 22nd. The meeting was held at the invitation of Director Suh. The two plan to exchange views on the responses of both countries to the COVID-19 situation and on current issues such as Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea.

Director Suh and Political Bureau member Yang Jiechi started their talks at around 9:29 a.m. at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Busan. President Xi had planned to visit South Korea this year, but the schedule has been postponed due to the COVID-19 situation.

When asked by reporters, "Is there a possibility that President Xi Jinping will visit South Korea this year?" Political Bureau member Yang Jiechi entered the meeting room without any response.

Meanwhile, after the meeting ended, Director Suh is scheduled to undergo a COVID-19 test at the hotel and wait for six hours. If the test result is negative, he will return to Seoul and self-quarantine for five days.