SEOUL – In a diplomatic move reflecting the delicate balance of power in Northeast Asia, South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik arrived in Beijing on September 2 for the 80th anniversary of China’s "Victory Day," with a key objective: personally extending an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.
Woo’s visit comes after South Korean President Lee Jae-myung declined a similar invitation to attend the event, reportedly due to considerations regarding the U.S.-ROK alliance. This has placed Speaker Woo, the nation's second-highest-ranking official, at the forefront of this diplomatic overture. Woo’s office confirmed the primary goal of the visit is to secure Xi’s attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
This marks Woo's second attempt this year to court the Chinese leader. In February, during a visit for the Asian Winter Games, Woo had a separate meeting with Xi to make the same request. While a formal, one-on-one meeting with President Xi or Premier Li Qiang has not yet been confirmed for this trip, the hope is that discussions will pave the way for a commitment.
Meanwhile, speculation is rife within political circles about a potential encounter between Woo and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who is also attending the parade alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the probability of such a meeting is deemed low. According to a report from the National Intelligence Service to the National Assembly, the protocol for a head of state and a parliament speaker places them on different tiers, making a significant interaction unlikely, particularly if China or other parties are not interested in facilitating it.
Upon his departure from Incheon International Airport, Woo acknowledged the low possibility of meeting with Kim, stating, "If I were to meet Chairman Kim, we would discuss the issue of peace on the Korean Peninsula, but I am not sure if such an opportunity will arise. I will have to see when I get there."
In addition to his high-level diplomatic efforts, Woo plans to meet with senior officials from the National People's Congress and the State Council. He is also scheduled to hear from South Korean companies operating in China about their challenges and will relay these concerns to the Chinese government to support economic exchange. Woo's delegation includes a bipartisan group of lawmakers from both the Democratic Party of Korea and the Innovation Party.
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