China summons South Korean ambassador

China has summoned the South Korean ambassador, after Seoul made a similar move to protest comments from Beijing's ambassador.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong summoned South Korean Ambassador Chung Jae-ho on June 10 to protest Seoul's criticism of Ambassador Xing Haiming's comments, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said today. Nong expressed "deep concern and dissatisfaction" over Seoul's "inappropriate response."

According to China's Foreign Ministry , Nong explained China's stance on relations with South Korea, saying that Xing's mission was to meet with officials from different groups in the host country to promote understanding and facilitate cooperation.

Mr. Nong also suggested that South Korea consider where the problem lies in bilateral relations, respect the joint statement adopted when the two sides established diplomatic relations, and coordinate with China to develop stable and solid relations.

South Korean officials have not commented on the information.

South Korean Ambassador to China Chung Jae-ho. Photo: Yonhap

The move came after South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin summoned Mr. Xing on June 9 to "sternly warn" him about the "irrational and provocative" comments of the Chinese Ambassador.

Earlier, at a meeting on the evening of June 8 with the leader of the Korean opposition Democratic Party Lee Jae-myung, Mr. Hinh warned that South Korea may be "betting wrong" by supporting the US, and called on Seoul to improve relations with Beijing.

According to Mr. Chang, Mr. Xing's comments appeared to violate the Vienna Convention, which stipulates the mission of diplomatic missions to promote friendly relations, and could be considered interference in South Korea's internal affairs. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin also criticized Mr. Xing for "going too far."

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming. Photo: DPA

The government of President Yoon Suk-yeol is trying to maintain a balance in relations with the United States and China, amid growing competition between Washington and Beijing. The United States is South Korea's main security ally, while Beijing is Seoul's largest trading partner.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Yoon in late 2022, calling for increased cooperation in high-tech manufacturing and working together to maintain a global free trade system that helps ensure supply chain security.

However, Mr. Yoon recently expressed support for the call from the US President Joe Biden administration to restructure global supply chains to reduce dependence on China, a move that Beijing strongly opposes.

Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, Yonhap )

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