South Korea pivots to ‘hard-line stance’ on China as Yoon questions envoy’s comments

The South Korean president reportedly said on Tuesday that he doubted whether China’s ambassador, Xing Haiming, ‘has an attitude of mutual respect’

It comes as local media reported that Seoul was pivoting to a ‘hard-line stance’ in its China ties in response to Beijing’s ‘high-handed’ rhetoric

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South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a speech in Seoul last week. He reportedly said on Tuesday that he doubted whether China’s ambassador to the country ‘has an attitude of mutual respect’. Photo: AP

Published: 3:33pm, 13 Jun 2023Updated: 3:43pm, 13 Jun 2023

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Tuesday that he was doubtful whether China’s ambassador had an attitude of mutual respect, as local media reported that South Korea is pivoting towards a “hard-line stance” in its relations with Beijing.

Yoon made the comment during a cabinet meeting after the Chinese envoy had warned Seoul against making “wrong bets” in the China-US rivalry, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing multiple people who attended the session.

Last week, Seoul’s foreign ministry summoned the ambassador, Xing Haiming, after he blamed South Korea for worsening bilateral ties due to the United States’ influence and urged the country to stop “decoupling” from China.

“Looking at Ambassador Xing’s attitude, it’s doubtful if he has an attitude of mutual respect or promotion of friendship as a diplomat,” Yoon was quoted by Yonhap as telling the meeting. “Our people are displeased with his inappropriate behaviour.”

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming (right) shakes hands with South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung before their dinner meeting last week, after which Xing was summoned by Seoul’s foreign ministry. Photo: Yonhap via AP

South Korea’s Dong-a newspaper reported on Tuesday that Seoul was pivoting to a “hard-line stance” in its relations with China following meetings between the two where Beijing used “high-handed” diplomatic rhetoric, citing a “key” government official.

Seoul will seek to reduce dependence on China’s supply chains and if needed could change how South Korea defines the “three nos” security understanding with China, Dong-a reported, citing the South Korean official it did not name. Relations between the two have deteriorated due to China’s “absurd” remarks and it’s difficult to pursue common values unless China respects South Korea, the newspaper reported the official as saying.