Woo Won-shik, the speaker of the National Assembly, told Chinese Ambassador Dai Bing on Wednesday that he wants to assure the international community of the safety of South Korean society.
Woo said he told Dai he looked forward to the ambassador’s role in developing bilateral ties, as South Korea and China are set to host Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits this year and next, respectively. Dai began his term as Chinese ambassador to South Korea last month.
“I welcome the appointment of the ambassador, who has extensive experience in regional and multilateral diplomacy,” Woo said.
Woo said he also sought to assure the Chinese community, as well as the international community, that “South Korea is safe.”
According to Woo, Dai told the Assembly speaker that he believes the resilience of South Korea’s democracy will enable it to successfully navigate the domestic political situation.
“This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese occupation, and I recognize the positive role that Speaker Woo has played as an expert in Korean history,” Dai was quoted as telling Woo.
Wednesday’s meeting was the latest in a series of steps by Woo to elevate his diplomatic profile. The meeting was held with the intention of "addressing international concerns about the martial law declaration and the ensuing impeachment situation in the country," according to Woo's office.
In a Facebook post Tuesday, Woo said he hoped to soften the impact of the domestic political situation, “such as the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and the failure to secure his arrest,” on foreign relations.
“This week is indeed a week of parliamentary diplomacy,” he wrote.
Woo met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Netherlands' Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Bosma on Monday, and with Brazilian Ambassador Marcia Donner Abreu on Tuesday. He is also slated to meet with Indian Ambassador Amit Kumar on Thursday.
