Taiwan is to begin negotiations on resuming direct flights with South Korea during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting in Seoul next month, said Foreign Affairs Minister Tien Hung-mao
Minister of Transportation and Communications Yeh Chu-lan (
Tien said Taiwan is willing to start talks with South Korea as long as "Taiwan's sovereignty is not discounted." South Korea switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1992.
The acrimonious breakup was marked by Seoul's handover of Taiwan's historic embassy compound to China.
"The resumption of direct flights will be an important link in improving relations with South Korea," Tien said.
There was speculation at the end of last year that Seoul was eager to resume direct flights, but the issue of the level of representation required to sign a new agreement remains unresolved.
Taiwan said it was ready to resume talks immediately if South Korea was ready to send a ministerial-level envoy.
Since the termination of direct flights in 1992, South Korea has attempted on numerous occasions to restart negotiations with Taiwan, both formally and informally.
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