Controversy Over Opposition Lawmakers' Trip to China Amid 'Xing Haiming Incident'... Ruling Party Calls It "Betraying the Country"

12 People Visit China for Diplomatic Schedule
Ruling Party's Kim Ki-hyun Faces 'Pleasure Trip' Allegations
Opposition: "Exchanges Must Not Cease Due to Ambassador's Remarks"

As relations between South Korea and China have deteriorated following remarks by Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming criticizing our government, controversy is spreading as members of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have been visiting China one after another. The ruling party has escalated its offensive, warning of criminal charges against DPK lawmakers, labeling their visits as "pleasure trips."

On the 15th, Kim Gi-hyeon, leader of the People Power Party, said at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, "According to media reports, the costs of (opposition lawmakers' visits to China) are said to be covered by China," adding, "This cannot be anything other than bribery disguised as a pleasure trip." He continued, "Can we say it is not an act of selling out the country by accepting Chinese money just to go on a pleasure trip?" and urged, "The Democratic Party should clarify how much these costs are, why China is bearing them, and whether they are receiving support for bribery-related expenses." He emphasized, "This incident clearly warns that it could go beyond a diplomatic fiasco and become subject to criminal punishment."

Supreme Council member Kim Byung-min also fiercely criticized, "At a time when united strength is not enough to rebuke China's arrogant behavior, there are lawmakers who formed a delegation of more than ten people funded by China and headed to China," questioning, "Are these people really members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea?"

Earlier, seven lawmakers including Do Jong-hwan, Park Jung, Kim Cheol-min, Yoo Dong-soo, Min Byung-duk, Kim Byung-joo, and Shin Hyun-young departed the day before to visit Beijing, China. Since the 12th, DPK lawmakers belonging to the Minsheng Economic Crisis Countermeasures Committee, including Kim Tae-nyeon, Hong Ik-pyo, Ko Yong-jin, Hong Ki-won, and Hong Sung-guk, have also been staying in China. They plan to visit China and Tibet until the 18th. In China, they will meet with officials from the Chinese government and private organizations, and in Tibet, they will attend an expo. This visit was planned about two months ago as part of expanding cultural exchanges and was reportedly made at the invitation of the Chinese government.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Following Ambassador Xing's provocative remarks criticizing government policies during a dinner with DPK leader Lee Jae-myung on the 8th, which escalated into a diplomatic conflict between South Korea and China, the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties appears to be intensifying. At the dinner, Ambassador Xing criticized the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's diplomatic policy, saying, "Betting on the U.S. winning and China losing is a wrong judgment," sparking controversy over "interference in internal affairs" and "bullying diplomacy."

However, DPK lawmakers visiting China argue that restoring diplomatic relations between South Korea and China is necessary for Korean companies engaging with China. Park Jung said before departing from Incheon Airport the day before, "I am aware of the criticism questioning whether it is appropriate to visit China now, given Ambassador Xing Haiming's remarks," but he countered, "I believe that all diplomatic exchanges should not be cut off because of one statement by the Chinese ambassador to South Korea." He added, "Rather, it is more necessary to point out the problems with such remarks and discuss the friendly development direction between the two countries," and said, "If remarks damaging the dignity of the Republic of Korea are raised by the Chinese side, we will firmly raise the issue."

Earlier, Hong Ik-pyo, who visited China first, also stated on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the same day, "No matter how difficult the country is and how much political strife there is, it is not desirable to politicize diplomatic issues," and added, "I believe we have made various efforts for the future of Korea-China relations."