SEOUL, Aug 24 (Reuters) — South Korea is aiming to restore stable diplomatic relations with China following years of tension, according to a statement from Seoul’s foreign ministry. A special envoy from South Korea conveyed this message to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a recent meeting, emphasizing intentions to deepen bilateral economic cooperation. n nThe delegation, led by former National Assembly speaker Park Byeong-seug, was dispatched by President Lee Jae Myung as he traveled to Washington for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. Park expressed hopes for reopening constructive dialogue between the two nations, stating the need to “open the door to normalising South Korea-China relations, which have been strained in recent years.” n nPark delivered a personal letter from President Lee to Chinese President Xi Jinping and extended an invitation for Xi to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in October. The Chinese side welcomed the gesture, with Wang Yi acknowledging the importance of strengthening mutual ties. n nOfficials from both countries agreed to pursue meaningful progress in economic collaboration and supply chain coordination. Park emphasized that South Korea’s new administration intends to advance its strategic partnership with China based on national interests, while maintaining a strong alliance with the United States. n nWang Yi reiterated China’s consistent policy of stability and continuity in its relationship with South Korea. He stressed that fostering goodwill, managing sensitive issues carefully, and focusing on shared interests are essential for steady bilateral advancement. n nRelations between Seoul and Beijing have gradually improved since a 2017 dispute over the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system in South Korea, which China strongly opposed. However, tensions resurfaced in 2023 after critical remarks about Beijing were made by South Korea’s former president, Yoon Suk Yeol. n— news from Reuters
— News Original —nSouth Korea tells China it wants to normalise ties, upgrade economic relationsnSEOUL, Aug 24 (Reuters) – South Korea hopes to normalise relations with China that have been strained in recent years, a special envoy from Seoul told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday, and agreed to boost economic cooperation, Seoul ‘s foreign ministry said. n nSouth Korean President Lee Jae Myung sent a special delegation led by former parliament speaker Park Byeong-seug to his country ‘s main trading partner as he travels to Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump. n nSign up here. n nLee arrived in Washington early on Monday. n nPark told Wang he hoped the countries would work together to “open the door to normalising South Korea-China relations, which have been strained in recent years,” according to his comments relayed by South Korean TV. n nPark handed Wang a letter from Lee to Chinese President Xi Jinping and invited Xi to the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping in October, South Korea ‘s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday. n nWang welcomed the delegation ‘s visit and appreciated the message of developing ties between the countries, the ministry said. n n”(South Korea ‘s) new government will pursue a mature development of South Korea-China strategic cooperation partnership based on national interest while continuing to develop the South Korea-U.S. alliance,” Park said. n nThe two sides agreed to work towards substantive progress on economic and supply chain cooperation, the ministry said. n nIn a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang said that development of both countries ‘ ties has shown that good neighbourliness, seeking common ground while reserving differences and expanding cooperation are the “right choices”. n nWang added that China ‘s policy is to maintain stability and continuity with South Korea and he urged both sides to “improve national sentiment and manage sensitivities properly” to move bilateral relations forward steadily. n nDiplomatic ties between the countries have improved since a 2017 dispute over South Korea ‘s deployment of a U.S. missile defence system, which Beijing opposed. n nBut they exchanged harsh words in 2023 about critical comments on Beijing by South Korea ‘s last president, Yoon Suk Yeol. nReporting by Ju-min Park, Jack Kim; Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Ed Davies and Michael Perry