South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun Photo: VCG

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Friday that his ministry will pursue President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to China in the early part of next year, according to South Korean media.

Cho made the remarks during a policy briefing to the president, outlining his ministry's plans for diplomacy with key countries and regions, as well as major international issues, Yonhap News reported on Friday. 

"In the early part of next year, we will pursue the president's state visit to China," Cho said at the start of the briefing, according to Yonhap. 

The report also noted that with the US, the foreign ministry will work to arrange another timely summit between Lee and US President Donald Trump next year and ensure that follow-up steps for the agreements reached at the recent summits in August and October will be carried out, Cho said.

Cho also said that his ministry will continue shuttle diplomacy with Japan. While maintaining trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the US and Japan, it will also promote cooperation among South Korea, China and Japan, and continue necessary communication with Russia as well, the South Korean foreign minister said.

He also said that, to expand South Korea's economic footprint, the government will push for accession to the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), build partnerships with Japan to deepen economic cooperation, and pursue bilateral economic cooperation agreements with countries such as Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, according to Yonhap News.

Previously, December 3, Lee said at Cheongwadae in Seoul on the same day that maintaining good relations with China is essential. He once again expressed his hope to visit China as soon as possible, according to media reports.

Speaking about the relationship between South Korea and China, Lee emphasized that South Korea and China have close ties that are difficult to cut in terms of geography, economy, history, society, culture, etc., and it is essential to maintain good bilateral relations, media reports said. 

Lee noted that South Korea and China have broad scope for cooperation in the fields of culture, economy, and civic exchanges, and it is also necessary for the two sides to explore ways of cooperation in the field of security involving the stability of Northeast Asia. He hopes to visit China as soon as possible and have extensive exchanges on related topics, per reports.

Global Times