South Korean Prime Minister Meets Chinese Business Leaders in Beijing Before Resigning to Run for Party Leadership

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met a group of Chinese businesspeople in Beijing on Monday at the South Korean ambassador's residence, his last official trip before offering to resign to run for party leadership. The gathering was the first official event of his three-day trip to China. Kim said the main purpose of the visit was to see China's economic development firsthand.

"South Korea and China are walking a firmer path (together) since the establishment of diplomatic ties, upon the foundation of a long history," he said. He asked the participants to share their success stories and plans for cooperation with South Korean firms. After Beijing, Kim will travel to Dalian for the World Economic Forum meeting known as the Summer Davos Forum.

He is scheduled to deliver a special address there on South Korea's economic vision and to propose areas for international cooperation. He is also expected to hold meetings with senior Chinese officials in Beijing and to meet officials and business leaders from other nations on the sidelines of the forum.

This is Kim's first trip to China since he took office last year as the first prime minister under President Lee Jae Myung.

A planned visit in March for the Boao Forum for Asia was canceled because of the effects of the conflict in the Middle East. Kim is the first South Korean prime minister to attend the Summer Davos Forum in 10 years. The trip is expected to be Kim's last overseas engagement as prime minister.

He has offered to resign in order to run for leader of the ruling Democratic Party. President Lee has nominated Han Seong-sook, minister for medium-sized enterprises and startups, to succeed him.