By Mei Jingya, Sina English
South Korea’s foreign minister Yun Byung-se has arrived in Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart, marking the first such meeting since the leadership transition in both countries.
Topics of discussion will focus on current situation on the Korean peninsula, China's policy toward Pyongyang and bilateral relations.
Also on Yun's agenda is helping to arrange the upcoming visit by S.Korean president Park Geun-hye to Beijing.
Related: S.Korean president plans visit to China after US trip 2013-04-22
Park reportedly told ruling party lawmakers her plan to come to Beijing following her US trip at a dinner in the Blue House Friday. Chosun Ilbo quoted a Seoul official as saying Park "may be able to go to China in June at the earliest given that it takes about a month to prepare for a bilateral summit."
On Tuesday, S.Korean foreign ministry spokesman said at a routine press briefing that Seoul believes the Chinese government will play an important role in maintaining peace and stalibity on the peninsula.
According to S.Korea's Yonhap news agency, Yun expects to meet with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in the one-day trip.
In contrast, Yun snubbed Japan by cancelling his planned visit to Tokyo this week in a diplomatic reprisal after the Japanese ministers paid homage to the Yasukuni shrine that honors war dead, including 14 designated as Class A criminals by the allies in the trials that followed World War II.
Both China and S.Korea have condemned Tokyo over the shrine visit and urged Japan to face up to history.
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