APEC Held in Peru: Bilateral Meeting
Yoon "Ask Korean Companies to Consider Predictable Environment"
President Yoon Suk-yeol, attending the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the South Korea-China summit at a hotel in Lima, Peru, on the 15th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News
On the 15th (local time), President Yoon Suk-yeol and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting in Peru, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit was taking place, and agreed to accelerate follow-up negotiations on the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office, held a briefing in Lima, Peru, on the same day, stating, "President Xi also agreed to accelerate the Korea-China FTA service and investment negotiations to achieve early results, and President Yoon hoped to see positive progress."
In particular, President Yoon said, "Please ensure that Korean companies operating in China can work in a predictable and stable environment." Regarding this, President Xi expressed that he would not engage in actions or thoughts that intentionally cause discomfort in Korea-China relations, and the presidential office official said that the facial expressions and atmosphere were also friendly. The intention is to find a cooperative direction for mutual win-win economic cooperation.
Deputy Director Kim explained, "Since next year marks the 10th anniversary of the Korea-China FTA coming into effect, we agreed to work together to address the remaining tasks of the Korea-China FTA service and investment negotiations," adding, "It means promoting the development of both Korea and China through a high level of external openness." He continued, "It signifies the intention to jointly create Korea-China economic cooperation that benefits both countries and their peoples."
Additionally, President Yoon and President Xi proposed visits to each other's countries.
A senior official from the presidential office said in response to reporters' questions at the Lima Press Center, "President Xi invited President Yoon first, and President Yoon also proposed President Xi's visit to Korea," adding, "Since we will host the APEC meeting in Gyeongju next fall, we naturally asked President Xi to visit Korea." Both leaders reportedly expressed gratitude for the invitations.
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