South Korea’s president to attend second world war anniversary commemorations in Beijing
Park Geun-Hye has yet to decide if she will go to huge military parade during the events, with some Western nations wary of sending representatives
South Korea said Thursday that President Park Geun-Hye would attend forthcoming celebrations in Beijing to mark China’s victory over Japan in the second world war - an anniversary that most world leaders look set to shun.
But Park’s senior secretary for foreign affairs, Ju Chul-Ki told reporters no final decision had been made on whether the president would attend the showpiece event, a huge military parade in the Chinese capital on September 3.
“Discussions are currently under way on that,” Ju said.
He added that Park was expected to hold a summit with President Xi Jinping during her three-day stay.
China has pushed hard for a high turnout of foreign leaders, but many seem concerned at the prospect of a parade that could marry a showcase for the military prowess of an increasingly assertive China with overt anti-Japanese sentiment.
Beijing, however, insists the event has only peaceful aims.
READ MORE: Why wary world leaders are weighing up their RSVP to China's war anniversary parade