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Chinese diplomat’s visit to Seoul as diplomatic gaffe

Posted December. 31, 2016 07:14,   

Updated December. 31, 2016 07:28

한국어

It has been belatedly reported that Chen Hai, deputy-director general at the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Department of Asian Affairs, which is in charge of response to the deployment of the terminal high altitude area defense (THAAD) system on the Korean Peninsula, visited South Korea by defying diplomatic practice, and emphasized Beijing’s objection to THAAD to various leaders in Seoul. Chen reportedly visited South Korea unilaterally on December 26-30 even after the South Korean foreign ministry advised its Chinese counterpart to pay a visit around early next year, and even met with ruling and opposition party lawmakers, several presidential candidates, and officials at think tanks and conglomerates in South Korea.

Last February, Chen also attended a strategic dialogue between South Korean and Chinese vice foreign ministers that took place in Seoul, where he demanded “(South Korea) behave considerately about THAAD,” and has thus effectively promoted himself as a hardline diplomat. The Chinese government remained unresponsive to South Korean Ambassador to China Kim Jang-soo’s request for a meeting for more than a month, but has only been proactively meeting with South Korean opposition party lawmakers who are opposed to THAAD deployment. For this reason, analysts say that Chen’s visit, which happened in defiance of Seoul’s stance, may be aimed at dividing opinions over THAAD deployment ahead of an early presidential election next year in this country. The visit is not only a diplomatic gaffe that disregards the official diplomatic channel but also a plot to prepare for power shift after impeachment of President Park Geun-hye following the Choi Soon-sil gate.

Since South Korea decided on THAAD deployment in July, China has been mounting pressure on Seoul on many fronts, including toughening of the requirements and process for visa issuance, a tax probe into Lotte, delays in validation of rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, and restrictions of imports from South Korea, Korean Wave (popular Korean pop culture) products and travel. Beijing is apparently retaliating Seoul by using economy as weapons over a security issue that can determine South Korea’s fate. Chinese President Xi Jinping has officially proclaimed diplomatic framework suggesting that China will maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries and embrace them by extending warmth and sincerity. Does China deserve the term "superpower" if it behaves disingenuously?

“China’s retaliation has not reached a level that could be construed as being official,” Seoul’s Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se told reporters on Friday. “The South Korean government should sternly deal with, but the private sector also need to see the situation from a broader perspective.” But his remarks seem to be irresponsible and negligent at best. The fact influential South Korean figures are meeting with a Chinese diplomat at a highly sensitive and important time amid rising tension between Seoul and Beijing can never be considered to be considerate. However, the Foreign Ministry should first proactively stage a far-reaching diplomatic campaign to ensure that it will not be hopelessly exploited by China seeking to divide public opinions in South Korea.



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