The government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) refused to let Chen Shui-bian attend the 13th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in Busan in November this year, holding that the Taiwan leader, who has no political relations with the ROK, cannot attend the meeting.

According to a ROK government official, Chen Shui-bian did express his "wish to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting", but the ROK government did not make remarks of support.

The official said such attendance cannot be realized since the two parties do not have political relations, and it seems Chen's remarks are politically-motivated.

By People's Daily Online