South Korea and China will launch a joint forum later this week, involving government officials and private sector experts from both sides, to discuss ways to strengthen relations and cooperation, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday. The South Korea-China Friendship Forum is scheduled to set sail in Beijing on Thursday, as a follow-up step to the agreement reached between the leaders of the two countries during their November summit in 2022. Part of the agreement was to establish a dialogue channel to explore ways to further enhance bilateral relations and partnerships, and make efforts to reflect ideas and strategies in policymaking. "Our delegation plans to have broad discussions with the Chinese side on efforts to develop the Korea-China relationship into one that is healthier and more mature," the ministry said in a release. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (front row, 3rd from R) poses with the South Korean representatives for the South Korea-China Friendship Forum, a private-government dialogue channel to be launched in Beijing later this week, at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Oct. 14, 2024, in this photo provided by Cho's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (front row, 3rd from R) poses with the South Korean representatives for the South Korea-China Friendship Forum, a private-government dialogue channel to be launched in Beijing later this week, at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Oct. 14, 2024, in this photo provided by Cho's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Hosting a luncheon meeting with the South Korean delegation earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul expressed hope that the forum will serve as a platform for gathering "creative ideas" and fostering "candid discussions" about the future of relations with China. Bilateral relations between Seoul and Beijing have deteriorated since the conservative Yoon Suk Yeol government took office with a strong foreign policy focus on prioritizing the alliance with the United States. But South Korea has increasin gly been seeking to improve ties with China, its largest trading partner and a key player in diplomacy with North Korea. On Monday, the South Korean presidential office announced that Yoon's former chief of staff Kim Dae-ki has been selected as the next ambassador to China and diplomatic procedures will begin to request Beijing's consent. Source: Yonhap News Agency
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