BEIJING (Yonhap) -- South Korea is expected to "play a more active role" in the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the bank's deputy head was quoted as saying by a Chinese state media service on Thursday.

The AIIB's deputy chief, Chen Hun, told state-run China News Service that South Korea would support bonds that will be issued and rated by the new regional lender for the first time.

Chen also said the AIIB will hold its opening ceremony in the middle of next month. 

The remarks by Chen came as South Korea's National Assembly ratified an accord earlier this week for Seoul's participation in the Beijing-backed lender.

China became the biggest shareholder of the AIIB with a stake of 30.34 percent, followed by India with 8.52 percent, Russia with 6.66 percent, Germany with 4.57 percent and South Korea with 3.81 percent.

The AIIB has been seen as a potential counterbalance to U.S.-led multilateral lenders such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

Despite China's pledge to ensure transparency in the AIIB's operation, China wields a de facto veto power in the AIIB.

The United States and Japan did not join the AIIB, while calling for transparency and higher governance in the new bank.

Along with concerns over transparency of the AIIB, there are worries that China would exploit the new lender as a means to increase its own economic and geopolitical influence in Asia.