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During a press conference on June 8 in front of the provincial office, civic and social groups from North Jeolla Province carry out a performance in protest of the Japanese government’s plans to dump irradiated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. (Yonhap)

On Thursday, the leader of South Korea’s ruling party met with the Japanese ambassador to Korea while the leader of the opposition party met with the Chinese ambassador to discuss major issues, including Japan’s planned release of radioactive water from the Fukushima power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

As the upcoming release of the contaminated water becomes a political flashpoint in Korea, both party leaders are seeking to make full use of the diplomatic stage.

“Considering how frustrated I had been with our two countries’ strained relationship, I think our current push to restore relations is a step in the right direction,” said Kim Gi-hyeon, head of Korea’s ruling People Power Party, during a meeting with Japanese Ambassador Koichi Aiboshi at the National Assembly on Thursday.

Kim went on to address the release of contaminated water from Fukushima. “Malicious propaganda and incitement will only hinder the development of bilateral relations and cause grievous harm to fishermen. In light of that, we need Japan to transparently and proactively work with us to eliminate distrust through an objective and scientific approach.”

“I want to provide a highly transparent and sincere explanation based on scientific evidence while continuing to communicate closely with the Korean government in the future,” Aiboshi said in response.

Kim Gi-hyeon, leader of the ruling People Power Party, gives remarks upon the visit of Japanese Ambassador Koichi Aiboshi to the National Assembly on June 8. (Yonhap)

On the same day, Lee Jae-myung, head of the Democratic Party, visited the Chinese Embassy in downtown Seoul for a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming.

Lee mentioned “concerns about a serious loss of trust and respect between Koreans and Chinese since the two countries’ establishment of diplomatic relations” in the meeting, in an apparent reference to Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s bias toward the US and Japan in his foreign policy.

“I think [our two countries] ought to speak with one voice and explore joint countermeasures, if possible, in regard to the issue,” the opposition leader also suggested on the topic of the Fukushima water release.

Lee Jae-myung (left), leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, shakes hands with Ambassador Xing Haiming, China’s representative in Korea, at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul’s Seongbuk District on June 8. (National Assembly pool photo)

“China and Korea need to do their best to keep the contaminated water from being dumped into the ocean so as to protect the lives and safety of their respective peoples,” Xing replied.

“What I can say for certain is that anyone who is currently betting on China’s defeat will certainly come to regret that,” the Chinese ambassador said, harshly criticizing the Yoon administration for bolstering relations with the US and trilateral cooperation with the US and Japan as part of its US-oriented “values diplomacy.”

Noting that the Democratic Party “has long been a major proponent of mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries,” Xing also asked Lee to “play a proactive role in the constructive development of our bilateral relations.”

Lee spoke with Xing over dinner at the Chinese ambassador’s residence in Seoul’s Seongbuk District at 6 pm Thursday.

Chun Jun-ho, Lee’s chief of staff, told reporters Thursday evening that “Lee and Xing had a candid conversation aimed at bilateral economic cooperation and the establishment of peace in Northeast Asia” during a dinner that lasted for around two hours. Chun added that they “exchanged serious concerns about [the release of] the contaminated water at the Fukushima nuclear plant.”

By Shin Min-jung, staff reporter; Kang Jae-gu, staff reporter

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