Diplomatic spat reveals South Korea's pivot to hard line on China

Beijing envoy's criticism meets with fierce response from Seoul

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has criticized Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming's comments about Seoul's China policy. © Reuters

JUNNOSUKE KOBARA, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- A row over inflammatory remarks by China's ambassador to South Korea has underscored Seoul's turn toward a more confrontational approach toward Beijing under President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The trouble began June 8 when Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming met with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, at the ambassador's official residence. The plan was for the two sides to come together to criticize Yoon's administration over its tilt toward the U.S. and Japan.

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