Attended as 'Korea-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association President'
China "Protests to Korea, Do Not Interfere in Internal Affairs"
China has expressed opposition to the attendance of Jo Kyung-tae, a member of the People Power Party, and others at the inauguration ceremony of Lai Ching-te, the President of Taiwan.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Korea stated in a press release distributed to reporters on the 21st, "China firmly opposes and condemns this," adding, "We have lodged a stern protest with the Korean side." Jo, who is the head of the Korea-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association, attended the inauguration ceremony the previous day.
The spokesperson claimed, "(Jo and others) 'illegally visited' Taiwan to attend the inauguration ceremony and met with related personnel," adding, "This goes against the strategic cooperative partnership between China and Korea." They further emphasized, "We urge the Korean side to adhere to the One-China principle, refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs in any form, and not support the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces."
Earlier, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that more than 500 foreign guests from 51 countries attended the inauguration ceremony.
South Korea was represented by Lee Eun-ho, the head of the Taipei Mission in Korea, and Jo Kyung-tae, attending without a separate government delegation.
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