ROK's new envoy sign of stronger ties

Former academic Yu happy to be 'where he should be' in Beijing

The Republic of Korea (ROK) ambassador to Beijing pledged to promote "neighborly friendship" with China on his first day of office yesterday, as experts said his arrival showed that Seoul puts Beijing higher on its foreign agenda.

In a speech to embassy staff, Ambassador Yu Woo-ik said: "China is at the core" of the ROK's effort to promote cooperation with the world's major countries.