Chinese diplomat gets key role on North Korean issues as Beijing fights to remain relevant
Ning Fukui, a former ambassador to South Korea and one of China’s representatives at the four- and six-party nuclear talks, joined foreign ministry this month
A veteran diplomat is set to take over as China’s deputy special representative for Korean affairs, as Beijing seeks to avoid being sidelined on the peninsula amid plans for North Korea to hold talks with both South Korea and the United States, sources said.
Ning Fukui, who served as ambassador to South Korea from 2006-08, and was involved in the four- and six-party talks in the 1990s and 2000s, is expected to work under Kong Xuanyou, China’s special envoy to Pyongyang and vice-foreign minister on North Korean affairs, the diplomatic sources said.
While Ning’s appointment has yet to be formally announced, he started work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this month, one of the sources said.
The post of deputy representative has been vacant since its former holder, Xu Bu, was named as China’s ambassador in Chile in January.
