S. Korea expresses condolences for passing of China's former vice premier

SEOUL, May 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Thursday expressed condolences for the recent passing of a former high-ranking Chinese official credited with helping build and advance ties between the two neighbors.

Qian Qichen, who served as vice prime minister in China from 1993-2003, died of an unspecified illness at the age of 89 on Tuesday night, local media reported.

South Korea's foreign ministry said that Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se has sent a telegram to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to express condolences to Qian's bereaved family and Chinese people in deep sorrow.

Yun also said that he will be remembered as a person who played a major role in helping Seoul and Beijing establish diplomatic ties and contributed much to the advance of their bilateral relations, according to the ministry.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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