Chinese ambassador to South Korea makes rare visit to Defense Ministry, discusses South Korea-China defense cooperation amid strains in South Korea-U.S. alliance

[Financial News] Dai Bing, China's ambassador to South Korea, visited the Defense Ministry in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 20th and exchanged views with Defense Minister Kang Shin-cheol on South Korea-China defense exchanges and cooperation and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, among other issues.
The visit is considered unusual because the Chinese ambassador to South Korea went to the Defense Ministry in person amid recent friction between South Korea and the United States over the transfer of wartime operational control.
Minister Kang said, "South Korea-China relations have continued to develop since the establishment of diplomatic ties," and urged China to actively support efforts to "promote defense exchanges and cooperation between South Korea and China based on good-neighborly friendship and trust."
Ambassador Dai congratulated Minister Kang on taking office and said, "As the leaders of the two countries have recently made reciprocal visits within a short period and South Korea-China relations have continued to develop, I hope exchanges and cooperation in the defense sector will also be further invigorated."
Minister Kang said, "Regarding the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula, an escalation of tensions there is not in China's interests either," and called on the Chinese government to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Minister Kang also explained South Korea's position on Chinese activities in the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) and over the Yellow Sea. He emphasized the importance of close communication between the two countries. Dai Bing agreed, saying he hoped the two countries would step up dialogue and communication in the diplomatic and security fields.
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