South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urges Xi Jinping to help resume North Korea talks during a historic summit in Gyeongju amid rising regional tensions.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung Calls for Renewed Dialogue on North Korea
Gyeongju— In a landmark diplomatic encounter, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Gyeongju on Saturday, marking Xi’s first official visit to South Korea in over a decade. The meeting, coinciding with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, carried significant weight for regional diplomacy amid escalating tensions surrounding North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and strategic posturing.
During their meeting at the Gyeongju National Museum, President Lee Jae Myung urged Xi Jinping to use China’s influence to help restart stalled negotiations with Pyongyang. “I hope that South Korea and China can strengthen strategic communication and work together to resume dialogue with North Korea,” Lee said, emphasizing Seoul’s readiness to pursue peace and security in the Korean Peninsula.
Lee expressed cautious optimism about renewed diplomatic opportunities, noting that recent interactions between Beijing and Pyongyang — including Kim Jong Un’s attendance at a major military parade in Beijing — could serve as a positive signal for regional stability.
Xi Jinping Promises Stronger Strategic Cooperation
Responding to Lee’s proposal, President Xi Jinping described South Korea as “an inseparable cooperative partner” and reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to regional peace. He stated that China stands ready to “widen cooperation and jointly tackle challenges,” signaling support for Seoul’s diplomatic outreach.
The meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Xi Jinping also highlighted the urgency of maintaining open communication channels in light of Pyongyang’s recent declaration that denuclearization efforts were an “unrealizable pipe dream.” The two leaders agreed that renewed dialogue was vital to defusing rising military tensions and preventing further destabilization in Northeast Asia.
Economic Cooperation and Trade Expansion
Beyond security issues, economic collaboration featured prominently in the discussions. President Lee Jae Myung noted that South Korea-China relations have evolved from a vertical, dependency-based model into a horizontal, mutually beneficial partnership. As China remains South Korea’s largest trading partner, the leaders reaffirmed their intent to deepen bilateral trade through new mechanisms.
Key economic outcomes from the summit included a won-yuan currency swap agreement designed to stabilize financial exchanges and the advancement of second-phase free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. The two sides also discussed technology cooperation, green energy development, and joint participation in emerging AI and semiconductor industries — sectors critical to both nations’ economic resilience.
Balancing Relations Between the U.S. and China
The diplomatic outreach by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reflects Seoul’s delicate balancing act between Washington and Beijing. In the same week, Lee hosted U.S. President Donald Trump, reaffirming the U.S.-South Korea alliance while advocating for strategic independence and regional peace.
Analysts view this dual-track diplomacy as part of Lee’s broader strategy to position South Korea as a proactive mediator in East Asia rather than a passive participant in U.S.-China rivalry. His administration’s commitment to dialogue and balance underscores a pragmatic approach amid increasingly complex geopolitical realities.
Symbolism and Ceremony
President Xi’s arrival in Gyeongju was marked by a traditional welcome ceremony, complete with a military honor guard and cultural performances reflecting South Korea’s hospitality and heritage. The summit concluded with a state dinner hosted by President Lee Jae Myung, emphasizing the symbolic importance of the event in resetting bilateral ties.
The warm tone and substantive agenda of the meeting demonstrate both nations’ recognition that stability on the Korean Peninsula and sustainable economic growth are intertwined goals. For South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, the successful conclusion of the summit represents not only diplomatic achievement but also a statement of intent: to make Seoul a central actor in shaping Northeast Asia’s peace architecture.
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Conclusion
The South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Xi Jinping summit in Gyeongju marks a pivotal moment in Asia’s evolving geopolitical landscape. By combining calls for North Korea dialogue with renewed economic cooperation, the meeting underscores Seoul’s role as a bridge between competing powers. As regional tensions persist, the outcome of this engagement may shape future peace initiatives and define the contours of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.