[Courtesy of Xinhua News Agency]
SEOUL -- A special envoy sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Seoul this week to brief South Korean officials on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's surprise trip to Beijing, the president's office said Wednesday.
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi will arrive in Seoul on Thursday for talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and other officials, Moon's office said, adding the envoy would discuss denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and other issues, based on the outcome of a summit between Xi and Kim.
During his trip to Beijing this week, Kim and Xi discussed important issues including the political situation on the Korean peninsula, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Kim stressed the allies should strengthen ties through strategic communication and cooperation, KCNA said. Xi was quoted as saying there is a positive change in the situation on the Korean peninsula thanks to Kim's strategic decision. At Kim's invitation, Xi agreed to visit North Korea at a convenient time, the agency said.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
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