South Korean PM Kim Min-seok departs for China for WEF meeting and official talks

SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Kim Min-seok left for China on Monday for a World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in the coastal city of Dalian, as well as meetings with senior Chinese officials in Beijing.

Kim left for Beijing on Korean Air Force Two amid speculation about whether he will meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

After Beijing, Kim will fly to Dalian to attend the annual WEF meeting, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, where he is scheduled to deliver a special address outlining South Korea's innovative economic vision and propose ways of international cooperation.

It is Kim's first trip to China since taking office as the first prime minister of President Lee Jae Myung last year. In March, he had planned to visit China for the annual Boao Forum for Asia, but the trip was canceled as he had to deal with the effects of the conflict in the Middle East.

Kim is also the first South Korean prime minister to attend the Summer Davos Forum in 10 years since then Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn did so in 2016. On the sidelines of the forum, Kim is expected to meet with officials and business leaders from other nations.

It is expected to be Kim's last overseas trip as prime minister. He has already offered to resign to run for leader of the ruling Democratic Party. President Lee has also nominated Han Seong-sook, minister for medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, to succeed Kim as prime minister.