Chinese FM Wang likely to visit S. Korea next month for talks on N. Korea, bilateral issues

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit South Korea next month to discuss ways to advance bilateral ties and address issues related to North Korea, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.

South Korea and China have continued consultations over Wang's trip and have recently reached a broad understanding on a two-day visit beginning Aug.

19, according to the sources.

During his visit, Wang is expected to hold talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to exchange views on bilateral relations, North Korea-China ties and other issues concerning the Korean Peninsula.

If realized, the trip would mark the first visit by a Chinese high-level official to South Korea since Lee's state visit to China in January and his summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In January, Cho said that Seoul and Beijing were pushing to hold a meeting between their foreign ministers in the first quarter of this year, but the plan did not materialize.

The delay has fueled speculation that China may be focusing on restoring its influence over North Korea amid its strategic rivalry with the Unite ...