Array
Seoul has given China’s ambassador to South Korea a dressing down, following remarks he made during a meeting with the leader of the opposition.
The envoy’s comments are just the latest in a string of undiplomatic remarks made by Beijing’s envoys that have raised eyebrows in Canberra, Manila and Tokyo. Their brazen style of communication has earned Chinese diplomats the brand “wolf warriors.”
Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming was summoned by South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin on Friday, following the Chinese diplomat’s dinner meeting with Lee Jae-myung, who heads the leftist Democratic Party of Korea, on Thursday.
According to Yonhap news agency, Mr. Chang “sternly warned” the ambassador for his “unreasonable and provocative” remarks, saying they could be construed as interference in domestic politics.
During his meeting with Mr. Lee, Mr. Xing had suggested that Korea and China should join hands to confront Japan, which is planning to release coolant water from its stricken Fukushima Nuclear Plant into the Pacific.
While Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency say the water, which is being treated before being released, is safe, there are major concerns around the issue, particularly in neighboring South Korea.
Mr. Lee and his party are outspoken on the Fukushima issue and are fiercely critical of right-wing President Yoon Suk-yeol’s flagship foreign policy, which is improving relations with Japan.
The policy has won Mr. Yoon strong kudos from the United States, which seeks to upgrade trilateral defense cooperation in Northeast Asia against China and North Korea.
