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The Korean government strongly demanded that the Chinese government take a sincere and reformed attitude in resolving the issue of Koguryo history distortions in order to untie the knot Beijing itself tied. The government also conveyed the serious concerns and regret felt by both it and the people of Korea over the Koguryo issue to China.
Vice Foreign Minister Choi Young-jin conveyed the above to Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, who is currently visiting Korea, when the two met in the Treaty Room on the 18th floor of the Foreign Ministry building on Sejong-no, Seoul on Monday. The two discussed pending issues between Korean and China.
During the closed-door talks, Choi reconfirmed the existing government position that since Koguryo history is the root of the legitimacy of the Korean people, Korea could never permit distortions of its history.
It is known that Wu, who came to Korea on Sunday, came to present a Chinese government solution that would reduce diplomatic tensions between Korea and China that arose as a result of the Koguryo issue. China would like to reduce those tensions ahead of the 12th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Seoul and Beijing.
Wu also made a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon.
A government official said one could see Wu's visit as preparation for Thursday's visit of Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the People's Political Consultative Conference. He said the Koguryo issue would be an important issue during talks between Wu and Choi.
The official said that in particular, Vice Minister Wu understands well the Korean position on Koguryo history, and not wanting the Sino-Korean relationship to get worse, may express China's intention to resolve the issue in a future-oriented way. The Chinese Embassy, however, has requested that Wu's schedule in Korea be kept completely closed to the public.
Wu, who was appointed vice minister on Friday, was born in Heilongjiang Province, one of the regions of focus of China's "Northeast Project." He is a "Korea expert" who served as ambassador to Seoul between 1998 and 2001.
Meanwhile, Jia Qinglin is the No. 4 man in the Chinese Communist Party, and is visiting Korea at the invitation of National Assembly Speaker Kim One-ki. He plans to meet with high-ranking government and political figures, including a courtesy call to President Roh Moo-hyun.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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