Noh Young-min, newly appointed South Korean ambassador to China, has vowed all efforts to develop relations between the two countries, saying the relations are "fateful" from historical and geographical perspectives.
Noh made the remarks during an interview with Xinhua in Seoul, before leaving for Beijing early Tuesday on a mission to restore the once better-than-ever bilateral ties in history.
"My mission in China would be a creative and productive one, rather than a challenging one," said Noh, dressed in a grey suit in a good harmony with his silver-grey hair.
He said he would take a "creative" approach to shaping a new, bright future for both sides in the year that marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and China.
The new head of the South Korean mission in Beijing pledged to pursue the common interests of the two countries, which he said would be "productive" to both nations.
"China is our neighbor fatefully. We are close historically and geographically. It's a fate from thousands of years of history," said Noh.
He said cooperation and friendship between the two nations would be very significant for peace in Northeast Asia as well as common interests of both sides.
The bilateral relations were once called better than ever in history, but it turned sour after the decision to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to South Korea was made in July last year.
A part of the THAAD elements was transported just about two weeks before South Korea's presidential by-election on May 9, and the remaining elements were delivered to southeast of South Korea under the incumbent Moon Jae-in government.
The new ambassador said it would be very urgent and significant to rapidly restore the bilateral relations.
To narrow gaps between the two over the U.S. missile shield, Noh said politico-diplomatic efforts and a technological confirmation would be necessary, but he declined to elaborate on what the efforts and the confirmation would be.
South Korea claimed that the THAAD was aimed to defend from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear and missile attacks. China has said it damaged Chinese strategic interests as the radar can peer deep into its territory.
Despite the "temporary" gaps, Noh said South Korea and China were in a fateful relationship that cannot be frayed for long because of the temporary difficulties.
"I believe in the power of hope and positive thought though South Korea-China relations are in a difficult situation," said Noh.
