China, S. Korea agree to resolve row over ancient Korean kingdom

Asian Political News, August 30, 2004

SEOUL, Aug. 24 Kyodo

China and South Korea agreed Tuesday to resolve their row over China's claim to an ancient Korean kingdom, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The agreement was in a five-point ''verbal understanding'' reached at the end of talks between high-ranking South Korean and Chinese officials in Seoul.

''The Chinese side, at the central and local governments, would show understanding to (South) Korea's historical description on Koguryo and take necessary measures not to complicate the issue further,'' according to the ''verbal understanding'' carried by Yonhap.

China and South Korea would also jointly seek a ''fair settlement'' of the dispute and take necessary measures to prevent it from becoming a political issue.

After arriving in Seoul on Sunday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei held talks with Vice Foreign Minister Choi Young Jin and other senior government officials.

''China is mindful of the fact the Koguryo question has emerged as a significant pending issue between the two countries,'' according to the understanding.

The dispute began early this year when China abruptly claimed that Koguryo, which controlled the upper part of the Korean Peninsula and much of what is today's Manchuria in China from 37 B.C. and to A.D. 668, is part of its history.

In April, the Chinese Foreign Ministry deleted references to Koguryo from pages on Korean history in its website. The Chinese move unleashed a storm of criticism in South Korea.