President Park Geun-hye took into account the characteristics of China's upcoming World War II anniversary event in deciding to join it, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

Park plans to attend a massive military parade in Beijing next week as the neighboring country commemorates the "Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War."

Her decision was apparently based on her resolve to maintain good ties between South Korea and China amid regional security challenges from North Korea.

Some critics, however, have taken issue with the history of Chinese troops fighting alongside the North in the 1950-53 Korean War.

In the ministry's press briefing here, a Japanese reporter asked a question about such a view.

"Basically, we need to look at the characteristics of the event itself to mark the 70th anniversary of a war victory," ministry spokesman Noh Kwang-il said. "The feature and meaning of the ceremony to commemorate a war victory 70 years ago is important."

It's also an "international event" to be attended by dozens of other heads of state, he added.

They include Russian President Vladimir Putin and South Africa's President Jacob Zuma.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rejected China's invitation.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is sending one of his top aides, Choe Ryong-hae, who serves as a Workers' Party secretary.

On the possibility of Park's formal meeting with Choe in Beijing this time, the ministry official was skeptical.

"Choe's position does not match" that of Park, he said. (Yonhap)