Met in the Waiting Room of the Tower Just Before the Military Parade
Speaker Woo Wonsik of the National Assembly, who is currently visiting Beijing to attend the 80th anniversary celebrations of China's Victory Day, briefly shook hands and exchanged a few words with Chairman Kim Jongun of North Korea prior to the military parade on September 3.
According to the Speaker's office, Speaker Woo greeted Chairman Kim with a handshake in the waiting room before observing the military parade at Tiananmen Gate in Beijing. The two had a brief conversation, but the specific details have not been disclosed.
Speaker Woo Wonsik of the National Assembly and Chairman Kim Jongun of North Korea. Photo by Yonhap News
Aside from Speaker Woo, it was reported that South Korean delegates did not have any notable contact with North Korean officials during the event.
Accompanying Speaker Woo on this visit to China were Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Taenyeon, Park Jiwon, Park Jeong, and Hong Giwon, as well as Kim Junhyeong from the Innovation of the Homeland Party. Due to the heightened security, it was reportedly nearly impossible to take photographs or record the event.
One lawmaker told Yonhap News in a phone interview, "We tried to approach the North Korean officials, but the seats at both the gate and the reception were too far apart, so it was not feasible."
It was confirmed that Speaker Woo and Chairman Kim were seated far apart in the official event venue. Speaker Woo was seated at the far end to the right of Chinese President Xi Jinping, while Chairman Kim was positioned immediately to Xi's left, as shown in the live broadcast of the parade by China Central Television (CCTV).
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