Kim Min-seok asks Chinese ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing to “help with investment in Saemangeum”

[Financial News] Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing on the 8th to discuss ways to improve Korea-China relations, including support for investment in Saemangeum and expanded exchanges between young people.
At the National Assembly that day, Kim met with Ambassador Dai and said, “President Lee Jae Myung mentioned it, and I also asked Premier Li Qiang of the State Council. I understand that a team came from China to conduct an on-site survey for investment in Saemangeum. I hope you will help ensure the follow-up work proceeds smoothly.”
The leaders of South Korea and China previously discussed ways to boost investment in Saemangeum Industrial Complex, which was designated a Korea-China industrial cooperation complex, at their meeting on November 1 last year. In January this year, the two countries signed an MOU on strengthening cooperation on Korea-China industrial complexes and decided to send a Chinese investment delegation to Saemangeum.
The Chinese investment delegation subsequently visited the Saemangeum site from the 9th to the 11th of last month and assessed conditions for investment, including major industrial sites and infrastructure within the complex.
Kim went on to say, “I hope we can greatly expand exchanges between young people in the two countries,” adding, “I think we should create many more opportunities for young people and university students from Korea to go to China and see firsthand the country’s current development and the various social issues it is grappling with.”
He added, “There are many historic sites of ours in China. If you continue to pay even greater attention and show consideration, as you do now, it will greatly benefit relations between our two countries.”
Ambassador Dai praised the proposals, saying, “All the proposals you mentioned are good ones,” and replied, “We will actively support and back them.”
He said, “Next year will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea. Looking back over the past 35 years, there have been periods when relations between our countries developed rapidly, as well as ups and downs.” He added, “President Xi Jinping and President Lee have successfully completed reciprocal visits, and relations between our countries have now returned to the right track and continue to improve and develop.”
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, held in Gyeongju last year and set to take place in Shenzhen, China, this year, also came up during the meeting that day.
Kim said, “At the Gyeongju APEC summit, I guided President Xi, and I also remember him speaking positively about the performance he watched then. We, too, will do our utmost to ensure the Shenzhen APEC summit is a success.”
Ambassador Dai responded, “We welcome President Lee’s attendance at the Shenzhen APEC summit,” adding, “I would like to do my utmost to prepare for a new meeting between the leaders of our two countries.”
[email protected] Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter