Ending days of speculation， President Park Geun－hye has decided to attend China′s war victory celebrations in Beijing next month.
But， a formal decision on the president′s attendance at the Chinese military parade is yet to be confirmed.
Choi You－sun reports.
The presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae confirmed that President Park will embark on a three－day trip to China on September 2nd， to attend events marking the 70th anniversary of Japan′s surrender in World War Two on the 3rd.
She will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for summit talks where North Korea′s recent land mine attack in the Demilitarized Zone and the North′s nuclear program will likely top the agenda.
In Shanghai， President Park is expected to attend a re－opening ceremony for the headquarters of Korea′s provisional government during Japan′s colonial rule.
However， it remains to be seen whether she will attend the Chinese military′s parade， the highlight of the war victory celebrations.
″We are currently finalizing the details of President Park′s trip to China and will make them known at the appropriate time.″
While U.S. President Barack Obama and other Western leaders view the parade as showcase of Beijing′s military prowess and will likely skip the ceremonies， President Park will give it serious deliberation considering Korea′s relations with its major regional partner， China...and a key ally，... the U.S.
″President Park is expected to take the initiative in Beijing to address diplomacy issues in Northeast Asia and urge the resumption of the long－stalled trilateral summit with China and Japan later this year.″
If Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends the celebrations，… and progress is made regarding a three－way meeting， it may help narrow historical differences and improve Seoul′s relations with Tokyo.
President Park′s office added there were no signs that North Korean leader Kim Jong－un or any high－ranking official from Pyongyang will attend the events.
Choi You－sun， Arirang News.
