"Provocative Remarks Severely Warned, Interference in Internal Affairs"... Ministry of Foreign Affairs Summons Chinese Ambassador to Korea

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Summons Xing Haiming, Chinese Ambassador to Korea
Protests Provocative Remarks Violating Diplomatic Protocol

On the 9th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea. This was to protest against Ambassador Xing's unreasonable and provocative remarks during a dinner with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, which violated diplomatic conventions.

The term 'summon' refers to the act of a country's diplomatic authorities calling in the ambassador, minister, or consul of a foreign country stationed in their nation to their diplomatic office for diplomatic reasons concerning bilateral relations. While it is not as severe as recalling one's own ambassador, expelling the other country's ambassador, or designating a diplomatic persona non grata, it is a negative diplomatic response.

On the evening of the 8th, Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, delivered a greeting while receiving a courtesy visit from Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the Chinese Ambassador's residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 9th, Vice Foreign Minister Jang Ho-jin summoned Ambassador Xing on the 8th to issue a stern warning and express strong regret over his unreasonable and provocative remarks that violated diplomatic conventions.

Vice Minister Jang pointed out that the ambassador's criticism of our government's policies with inaccurate content and unacceptable expressions in front of multiple media outlets violated the Vienna Convention and diplomatic conventions. The Vienna Convention stipulates the mission of diplomatic envoys to promote friendly relations. He also criticized it as interference in domestic affairs, which could be considered meddling in our internal politics.

Senior Spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung of the Democratic Party of Korea and Ambassador Xing Haiming of China to Korea are exchanging greetings on the afternoon of the 8th at the Chinese Ambassador's Residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Corps

Vice Minister Jang also stated that Ambassador Xing's recent conduct seriously contradicts the wishes of both governments and peoples of Korea and China, who value and seek to develop bilateral relations based on mutual respect. He firmly pointed out that it is irresponsible behavior that goes against the spirit of Korea-China friendship and fosters misunderstandings and distrust between the two countries.

Vice Minister Jang clearly warned Ambassador Xing that he must conduct himself in accordance with the duties of a diplomatic envoy regarding this incident, and that all consequences will be his own responsibility.