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Ruling party leader`s politics of China visit

Posted October. 11, 2014 04:04,   

한국어

In December 2009, Ichiro Ozawa, a highly influential politician known within the then ruling Democratic Party of Japan, visited China, leading a delegation of some 600 people including 143 lawmakers. The visit was part of bilateral parliamentary exchange program that started under the Liberal Democratic Party`s government. Many analysts said, however, Ozawa`s showing off of his influence externally affected then Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama`s position. As in Japan, many South Korean politicians use China visits as their political momentum.

Kim Moo-sung, chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party, will pay a four-day visit to China from October 13 to attend a bilateral party policy meeting at the invitation by the Communist Party of China (CPC). Kim is seeking to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and plans to have a luncheon meeting with Wang Jiarui, director of the CPC`s International Liaison Department. Kim will lead a delegation of 12, including 11 lawmakers. Among them are Kim Moon-soo, a potential competitor for the Saenuri Party`s presidential candidate, and Lee Jae-Oh, an influential lawmaker of non-pro-Park Geun-hye faction.

Many observers view Kim Moo-sung`s China visit as his step for his presidential ambition. The press corps to accompany him involve 42 journalists from 34 media outlets. When Park visited Europe in 2011 as then President Lee Myun-bak`s special envoy, reporters from 23 media companies accompanied her. President Park, who will leave for Italy on October 14 to attend the Asia-Europe summit, will be accompanied by reporters from 35 media companies. Beijing is reportedly contemplating how to treat Seoul`s potential future leader.

It is very important for Seoul to maintain diplomatic cooperation with Beijing. A heavyweight ruling party member`s China visit carries great significance. However, it does not necessarily look good for him to go on an overseas trip with a large delegation during a parliamentary inspection of the administration. He could have reschedule the visit or show off himself as a ruling party leader who sincerely conduct the inspection while promoting national intereset by minimizing the number of his entourage of lawmakers