“Upset,” President Yoon Personally Criticizes Ambassador Xing

President Yoon Suk-yeol spoke on the recent remark by Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Xing Haiming (pictured) on June 13 and said, “The people were upset by the behavior of the Chinese ambassador to South Korea.” The Office of the President announced that it requested the Chinese government to take appropriate measures.

However, the Chinese government refused to take action against Ambassador Xing, and this could fuel the tension between the two countries.

President Yoon presided over a cabinet meeting in the Office of the President in Yongsan Tuesday, and an official who attended the meeting conveyed the president’s remarks. According to the official, President Yoon said, “The relationship between South Korea and China has continued on the main principles of mutual respect, the promotion of goodwill, and the pursuit of common interests,” then mentioned the Korean people’s response to Ambassador Xing’s comment. Now that President Yoon has personally mentioned the Chinese ambassador’s criticism of his foreign policy, it is expected to send ripples through the relationship between the two countries.

The Office of the President also openly pressed China to take action against Ambassador Xing.

A senior official from the presidential office met with reporters on Tuesday afternoon and said, “His (Ambassador Xing) comment misinterpreted the policy of the Republic of Korea as being biased and attempting to exclude a particular country.” He further said, “We conveyed our opinion asking China to review the issue and take appropriate measures.”

On June 8, Ambassador Xing met with Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and said, “Those who bet on China’s defeat (in the race between the U.S. and China) will certainly regret it.”

He also spoke on South Korea’s increasing trade deficit with China and said, “Some explain the attempt to move away from China (by the South Korean government) as an important cause.” This triggered a heated debate over intervention in domestic affairs and tensions rose as the foreign ministries of both countries summoned each other’s ambassadors.

The senior official from the presidential office spoke on Ambassador Xing’s remark and said, “His explanation of the trade relations between South Korea and China were not based on fact and we have stated that the Republic of Korea’s foreign policy, rooted in the spirit of our Constitution, strives to cooperate with our allies while simultaneously pursuing a sound relationship with China based on mutual respect.”

He further explained, “As the highest ranking (Chinese) diplomat in South Korea, he has the duty to strive for friendly relations. Even if he feels there is a problem, he should resolve and discuss it in private and abide by the Vienna Convention in front of the people to foster good relations.” He added, “When we see this issue from this perspective, there are some problems.”

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) demanded Ambassador Xing be summoned back to China and be designated as a diplomatic figure who should be avoided.

The party’s secretary-general Lee Chul-gyu said in a meeting to discuss floor strategies Tuesday, “If Ambassador Xing continues to neglect his responsibilities and roles as a diplomat and acts arrogantly, we should consider designating him as a diplomatic figure to avoid in the future.” He also said, “The Chinese government should stop shielding him and respectfully apologize to the Republic of Korea.” In a press conference, PPP lawmaker Cho Kyoung-tae said, “The Chinese government should stop observing the situation and immediately summon Ambassador Xing back to China.”

In a regular press briefing Tuesday, when a reporter asked Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, about China’s position on the South Korean government’s request for appropriate action against Ambassador Xing, Wang said, “We are aware of South Korea’s announcement of its position on this issue and the fact that some media outlets released reports not based on fact, and some even making personal attacks at Ambassador Xing, the individual,” and expressed his regrets. In a briefing the previous day, Wang said, “It is Ambassador Xing’s duty to meet and interact with a broad range of figures from all areas and levels of society,” and refuted the South Korean government’s criticism of Ambassador Xing.

As diplomatic friction between the two countries intensified due to their differences on taking action against Xing, some voiced concerns that the tension between the two countries, which has accumulated over the past year, could exceed the critical point.