Asia-Pacific
ROK's new envoy sign of stronger ties
By Zhang Jin (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-29 08:49
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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.
Comparing his new job in China with his teaching experience in US and French universities, the scholar-turned diplomat said he felt "he comes to where he should be".
Yu, former presidential chief of staff and Seoul National University professor, accompanied Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping during Xi's visit to South Korea earlier this month.
Beijing-based experts said Yu's appointment is the latest sign that the Lee Myung-bak government sees more importance in China relations.
"The replacement showed that Lee was eager to heighten ties with neighbors, because Yu has long been Lee's close advisor," Shi Zhan, an expert of international studies at China Foreign Affairs University.
Seoul apparently adjusted its foreign policies by refocusing on Asia instead of the US, Shi said.
"Yu is the right person to carry out Lee's new policies," he said.
Yesterday, Yu lauded China's growth and its importance to the ROK.
"China has maintained rapid growth despite the global financial crisis The country will surely become the world's market and capital base," he said.
Yu said China-ROK ties have made remarkable progress since the nations established diplomatic relationship in 1992, citing a series of figures.
Trade jumped to $16.83 billion from $6.3 billion. Personnel exchange skyrocketed from 130,000 to 5 million a year. China has become the ROK's largest trade partner and investment destination.
The Korean Peninsula issue should top the agenda of the new ambassador, experts said.
"His first job should be to help push the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks," Shi said.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea said it will return to the negotiating table during US envoy Stephen Bosworth's visit to Pyongyang earlier this month, but it didn't give a timetable.
In a longer run, Yu should promote economic ties by pushing for the long-awaited free-trade agreement, Shi said.
The two countries launched a joint study on the feasibility of the pact in 2004, but have yet to start official negotiations.
Xi and Lee agreed on Dec 17 to conclude the joint review soon.
Xi proposed the two countries prepare for official talks as early as possible.
