Woo Wonsik Likely to Attend China’s Victory Day Event Instead of President Lee Jaemyung

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It has been reported that President Lee Jaemyung is unlikely to attend the 80th anniversary event commemorating Victory Day (Victory in the Anti-Fascist War), which will be held in Beijing, China, this September. Instead, it is understood that Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly and the second in protocol rank, is being considered as the representative to attend the event.

Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, delivers a congratulatory speech at the 77th Constitution Day celebration held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on July 17, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

An official from the presidential office stated on the 18th, "No decision has been made regarding who will attend the event," and added, "We are discussing specific matters, including the possibility of Speaker Woo attending." This appears to take into account the significant diplomatic burden that would arise if President Lee were to visit China before a summit with the United States has been scheduled.

China is planning to hold the 80th anniversary Victory Day ceremony and a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on September 3. Victory Day is a national event commemorating victories in the Sino-Japanese War and World War II. This year’s Victory Day marks a major anniversary, celebrated every five and ten years, which is especially significant for socialist countries. As a result, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to host events such as jointly observing the military parade with foreign leaders.

Previously, in June, China inquired with the South Korean government about President Lee’s intention to attend the Victory Day ceremony. The attendee must be confirmed and communicated to the Chinese side by early next month. Accordingly, the government is reportedly considering, as the most likely option, having Speaker Woo, who is second in protocol rank, attend the event in consideration of diplomatic relations with the United States.

In February, Speaker Woo met separately with President Xi in Harbin, China, during the Winter Asian Games and requested cooperation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to be held in Gyeongju at the end of October. He is the only official from the government and ruling party to have met President Xi most recently. A ruling party official commented, "Given that relations with China must also be sufficiently considered, it would be difficult to find a more suitable figure than Speaker Woo."