On September 2, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik stated that if he happens to meet Kim Jong Un, Chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, at China's Victory Day military parade, "If we meet, we will discuss issues related to peace on the Korean Peninsula."
Speaker Woo, who is virtually representing the government, made this comment to reporters at Incheon International Airport on the afternoon before the parade as he was departing for China. He said, "I am not sure if there will be such an opportunity to meet (Kim Jong Un); I will only know once I am there." He added that if a meeting does take place, "I plan to talk about whether there are ways to expand peace on the Korean Peninsula and related matters."
When asked whether he would deliver a message from President Lee Jaemyung to Chairman Kim if a meeting occurs, Woo replied, "The Speaker of the National Assembly is not a (government) special envoy," but added, "There was communication with the Presidential Office during the decision-making process for this visit to China, and I am going based on that communication."
Regarding the significance of this visit to China, Woo explained, "This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation and the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the war of resistance. Sharing this history is the root of the bond between the two countries," adding, "That is why I am going to congratulate them."
Woo also mentioned that he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in February this year and that President Lee spoke with President Xi by phone in June. He said, "I accepted this invitation because I believe that maintaining high-level exchanges between the two countries will help advance Korea-China relations."
He particularly emphasized, "This year marks the beginning and development of important exchanges between Korea and China, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Making good use of these opportunities to further develop exchanges will benefit our national interests. We must build a strong Korea-China relationship amid the changing global order and environment."
Speaker Woo plans to invite President Xi to attend the Gyeongju APEC Summit and will also ask the Chinese government to pay attention to the preservation of historical sites related to the Korean independence movement in China. During his visit, in addition to attending the Victory Day event, he will meet with senior officials from the National People's Congress (the equivalent of China's parliament) and the State Council, and is scheduled to return to Korea on September 5. Accompanying Speaker Woo on this visit are Democratic Party lawmakers Park Jiwon, Kim Taenyon, Park Jung, and Hong Giwon, as well as Kim Junhyung from the New Reform Party.
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