Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that China’s vice premier will visit South Korea later this month to attend the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. 

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Noh Kyu-duk said in a regular media briefing that Liu Yandong, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China, will make a three-day visit to South Korea beginning February 24th as a special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

According to Noh, Liu will attend the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Games slated for February 25th to support the Chinese athletes that competed in the games along with their coaches and assisting staff. 

Noting it is rare for China to send a special presidential envoy for both the opening and closing ceremonies of a Winter Olympics, Noh said Seoul assesses Beijing’s high interest in their bilateral relationship and its support for the success of the PyeongChang Games. 

Chinese Communist Party Politburo Standing Committee member Han Zheng also visited the South last week as a special envoy of Xi and attended the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Games last Friday.