President-elect Park and visiting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun agreed on the need to strengthen Korea-Sino relations under the new leadership of both countries.
After Zhang delivered a letter from Chinese President Hu Jintao and Communist Party Chief Xi Jinping Park said that the Korea and China should set a new vision to further develop bilateral relations, with this year marking the 21st anniversary since the two nations established diplomatic ties.
To this, Zhang said the two governments should build trust, which President-elect Park is putting a great emphasis on, through strategic communication.
With regard to North Korea, Park stressed that South Korea and the international community should deliver a consistent and clear message to the North, so that Pyongyang can become a trustworthy member of the international community.
She said that Seoul will firmly respond to any additional provocations by North Korea, but added that it will also open the window for dialogue, which falls in line with her pledge to restore trust between the two Koreas.
Zhang responded by saying that he hopes Seoul and Beijing can work closely together on issues concerning the Korean Peninsula and the world.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the presidential transition team elaborated on the purpose of the status reports it will receive from government ministries and offices starting Friday.


[Interview : Yoon Chang-jung, Chief Spokesperson
Presidential Transition Team] "The status reports are not aimed at making new policies, but rather focused on setting a roadmap for the new administration."


They plan to focus mainly on three points.
The first thing the committee will keep in mind is whether government policies are appropriate to President-elect Park's governing philosophy.
They will also check to see whether any policies that address major social issues are missing from the report, and most importantly, whether there is enough money to execute policy plans.
Meanwhile, Park's transition team expressed concern about media speculation over prime minister candidates, and made it clear that Park will select the right person for the post, regardless of that person's hometown or professional background.
Eoh Jin-joo, Arirang News.

Reporter : jjeoh@arirang.co.kr