▲ National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (L) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are seen in this composite photo released by Yonhap News Agency and the North's official Korean Central News Agency. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
▲ In this file photo released by Cheong Wa Dae on April 29, 2018, then Democratic Party floor leader Woo Won-shik (L) talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during the inter-Korean summit on April 27 at the Peace House in Panmunjom, a building on the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area within the Demilitarized Zone. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (L) talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the welcome reception of a military parade in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2025, in this photo released by Woo's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ This photo by Kyodo News shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R), Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) and Russian President Vladimir Putin standing next to each other during a military parade at Tiananmen Square on Sept. 3, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) Assembly speaker-China

(2nd LD) Assembly Speaker Woo shook hands with N. Korea's Kim in Beijing: Woo's office

(ATTN: TRIMS; ADDS photos, more details in paras 3-5, 11)

By Yi Wonju

SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik shook hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the occasion of a massive military parade in China on Wednesday, his office said.

The two sides briefly exchanged greetings before watching the parade in Tiananmen Square, held to mark China's anniversary of victory over Japan in World War II, according to the office.

According to attendees who watched the encounter, Woo said to Kim, "It's been seven years since we met." Kim reportedly offered a brief "Yes" in response.

The two met for the first time during the historic 2018 summit between Seoul and Pyongyang, when Woo was serving as the Democratic Party's floor leader.

At the time, Woo shared his family history with the North Korean leader, explaining that his father originated from North Korea and his two sisters still reside there, deeply missed by his mother who lives in the South.

Woo also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which he urged Xi to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held next month in the southeastern city of Gyeongju.

This marks Woo's second meeting with Xi, following their talks in Harbin in February.

In his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Woo called for Moscow's support for some 130 South Korean firms in Russia.

Putin reportedly showed interest in inter-Korean relations and issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula and asked Woo if he wanted to deliver any message to Kim if a North Korea-Russia summit is held.

In response, Woo expressed hope that the two Koreas can "open an era of peace and prosperity" and stressed the importance of joint efforts in building peace on the peninsula despite challenges.

Later, the Kremlin said Woo and Putin did not hold a formal meeting but may have exchanged a brief greeting.

Woo is scheduled to meet with senior officials of the National People's Congress and the State Council before returning home Friday.

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