By Koh Byung-joon and Park Boram
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Yonhap) -- Seoul's top diplomat to China has expressed confidence the two countries will overcome the current diplomatic feud over the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system in South Korea through closer communication and further enhance the bilateral partnership, which is crucial to denuclearizing North Korea and securing Northeast Asian peace and stability.
Amb. Kim Jang-soo told Yonhap News Agency that the summit between Presidents Moon Jae-in and Xi Jinping in July laid the groundwork for increased consultation to resolve differences and move forward to forge more substantial relations.
"With the recognition that a constructive relationship between South Korea and China is important not only on the bilateral level but for regional peace and stability including the resolution of the problems of North Korea and its nuclear weapons, the government is working to develop Korea-China ties into a substantial 'strategic cooperative partnership,'" Kim said in the interview on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relationship.
Since normalizing ties on Aug. 24, 1992, the two neighbors have rapidly developed relations in diplomacy, economy, culture and human exchanges. They proclaimed a "strategic cooperative partnership" in 2008.
The bilateral relationship is currently suffering a setback over the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea. China lodged angry protests and restricted Korean goods, companies and the entertainment business.
"At times of trouble, candid communication is needed to solve them and to bring the relationship to a healthier and more mature one," Kim said.
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