Democratic Party Holds Emergency Meeting to Hear Difficulties of Companies Exporting to China
Special Committee on Livelihood Economy Plans Visit to China
The Democratic Party of Korea diagnosed that export companies dealing with China are facing difficulties due to the current government's China diplomacy policy. The party announced a response plan to seek common ground with China through the Special Committee on Livelihood Economy's visit to China.
On the 30th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with export companies to China at the "Emergency Meeting to Hear Difficulties of Companies Exporting to China." At the meeting, Lee said, "While the global economy is deteriorating overall, the South Korean economy is showing different phenomena compared to the global economy. Among them, the economic situation, including trade issues with China, which has been an important pillar of our economy in the northern economy, seems to be rapidly worsening." He added, "Currently, international relations are heading toward conflict, but on the other hand, Japan, the United States, and Europe are actually strengthening economic cooperation with China. The global trend is to separate military issues from economic issues and to approach diplomatic matters pragmatically, but we need to check whether we are truly aligned with this."
Lee stated, "Diplomacy must adopt a practical attitude centered on national interests," and added, "We need to check whether Korean diplomacy is actually progressing in a way that helps companies and the economy economically. There may be some difficult topics to discuss openly, so I will listen to specifics privately, but if you point out what the political sphere, especially the Democratic Party, can do, we will find possible measures and make every effort."
Park Sung-jun, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a briefing after the meeting, "Those present at the site said that exports to China were doing quite well, but after COVID-19 and due to the current government's attitude toward China relations, they are facing difficulties. The most important issue in Korea-China relations is the deficit problem, and the only way to solve it is for diplomacy and politics between Korea and China to improve. If the atmosphere is good, the practical difficulties on the ground will be resolved." He pointed out, "Previously, China diplomacy had strategic ambiguity and did not combine economy and security, but rather viewed them separately from an economic practical perspective and security perspective. Now, with clarity, there seem to be difficulties in relations with China, and this is reflected on the ground."
Regarding party-level efforts, Spokesperson Park said, "I understand that the Special Committee on Livelihood Economy is preparing a visit to China. China diplomacy is indeed difficult, but we plan to broaden this scope."
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