By Kim Hyelin and Lee Jihae

President Moon Jae-in on Nov. 26 told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Seoul that Korea will keep striving to end the Korean War with the world including China and achieve complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Cheong Wa Dae Spokesperson Kang Min-seok in a written briefing said the meeting at the presidential office saw President Moon thank Minister Wang for the "constructive role and cooperation" Beijing has shown in the peace process on the peninsula.

President Moon said the two countries have set an "exemplary case" in international cooperation by being the first to implement a rapid transit system amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said he hoped for the continued strengthening of personnel and cultural exchanges and cooperation in addition to economic cooperation, and development of a closer strategic cooperative partnership.

Minister Wang responded by saying the two nations have protected their public health and safety amid the pandemic and are jointly striving to normalize economic output. He added that his visit was to show confidence in Korea's ability to overcome COVID-19.

The Chinese official also held a meeting that morning with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, saying Seoul and Beijing agreed on ten factors related to bilateral cooperation. He said both sides will overcome the COVID-19 crisis and "surely expect brighter prospects." 

Minister Wang said Chinese President Xi Jinping considers his friendship with and trust in President Moon highly important, and asked President Moon to send a special verbal message.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr