Main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung is scheduled to meet with Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming on Thursday evening to deliberate on various matters of mutual interest, including Japan’s anticipated discharge of radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. Lee and Xing are expected to discuss increased economic cooperation and augmenting public diplomacy between the two countries. They will also discuss strategies for mitigating negative perceptions between their respective nations. An additional agenda item for Lee will be soliciting Beijing’s assistance in fostering a peaceful environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Meanwhile, ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Kim Gi-hyeon met with Japanese Ambassador Koichi Aiboshi on Thursday afternoon to also discuss the impending release of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Kim underscored the necessity for transparency, active collaboration, and the dissemination of accurate and objective scientific information to the public. Simultaneously, Kim pledged his party’s commitment to refraining from promoting “unscientific propaganda and instigation,” a remark seemingly directed at the DP.