South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that relations between Seoul and Beijing had entered a more positive phase, with “much progress” made in rebuilding trust. Speaking at a press conference in Shanghai after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lee said he had asked Xi to play a mediating role in efforts to restart dialogue with North Korea.
Lee Appeals for China’s Help on North Korea
Lee described his talks with Xi as constructive, noting that the Chinese leader had responded with caution regarding North Korea. “President Xi acknowledged our efforts so far and said patience is needed,” Lee told South Korean media during his televised remarks.
Seoul has repeatedly sought to resume talks with Pyongyang aimed at easing tensions on the Korean peninsula, but those overtures have so far been met with silence. Lee said he had presented Xi with a full account of his administration’s efforts to engage North Korea and appealed for China’s help in mediating future dialogue.
Beijing remains North Korea’s most important political and economic partner, and its cooperation is seen as critical for any progress in inter-Korean diplomacy.
Warming Ties After Years of Strain
Lee’s visit to China marks his second meeting with Xi in less than three months, underscoring his determination to “open a new phase” in bilateral ties after several years of diplomatic chill. Relations deteriorated sharply following the 2017 deployment of a U.S. missile defence system in South Korea, which prompted Beijing to restrict Korean cultural and business activities in retaliation.
According to Lee, Xi emphasised that while “talk is easy, action is not so easy,” stressing the need for sustained effort to rebuild trust. Lee said he agreed, noting that “diplomatic relations are inherently complex in balancing each other’s key national interests.”
Regional Balance and Hopes for Stability
Lee also expressed hope that rising tensions between China and Japan could be managed constructively, saying that South Korea values both relationships equally. “We consider our ties with Japan as important as our relations with China,” he said.
The South Korean president’s visit forms part of a broader diplomatic effort to strengthen Seoul’s regional standing while maintaining its strategic balance between China, Japan, and the United States. His outreach to Xi signals a pragmatic approach aimed at reviving dialogue and reducing tensions on the peninsula through diplomatic engagement rather than confrontation.
with inputs from Reuters
