ROK consul at epicenter expresses his nation's solidarity

The Republic of Korea stands ready to ride out the difficulties of the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak with China at a critical time in the all-out efforts against the disease, Kang Seung-seok, the ROK's new consul general in Wuhan, Hubei province, said on Thursday.

Kang, former chief of the ROK Consular Office in Dalian, Liaoning province, spoke at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport on arriving in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak. He assumed his new post while diplomats from many other countries have left the city since the epidemic's onset.

Kang said it is very significant that South Korea sent him to Wuhan at such a trying time. He recalled that this year marks the 28th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the ROK and China. The strategic partnership between them is becoming inseparable, he said, adding that Seoul wants to accompany Beijing through the difficulties.

Kang arrived on an Asiana Airlines cargo flight carrying masks, protective clothing and other relief goods. The items were provided by alumni groups with ties to China, South Korean steel-maker POSCO and a provincial government, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"People in the ROK are concerned about the epidemic in Wuhan, and they hope the Chinese people will emerge from these difficulties as soon as possible," Kang said, adding that mutual understanding and support at this challenging time is important for bilateral relations.

Seoul also has stepped up efforts to provide consular assistance to some 100 South Koreans in Wuhan and nearby areas.

Kang said that since the start of the outbreak, China has shared information with the ROK in a timely manner, which helps with prevention and control of the contagion.

Kang joined the foreign service in 1988 and has served in several China-based posts, including Qingdao in Shandong province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Shenyang in Liaoning province.

The South Korean consulate in Wuhan is one of a few foreign diplomatic missions that still operate in the city. The French consulate in Wuhan also remains open.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at an online news conference on Thursday that China welcomes Kang's assuming his new post.

The ROK's appointment of Kang as its new consul general in Wuhan at this critical moment shows that it considers the relationship with China highly important and also reflects its support for the country's epidemic control efforts, Geng said.