South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday (7 January), that significant progress has been made in restoring trust with China. He also reiterated that relations with Japan are equally important for Seoul’s diplomacy amid shifting regional dynamics.
Lee spoke to media representatives in Shanghai, with his remarks broadcast live, following a series of high‑level meetings this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The talks were aimed at rebuilding bilateral ties that had cooled in recent years.
His current visit, his first state trip to China since taking office in June, comes just two months after Xi visited Seoul.
Chinese official statements following the talks highlighted mutual respect and repeated high‑level engagement as central to restoring a “strategic cooperative partnership”. The sides vowed a continued dialogue and cooperation to benefit both nations and regional peace.
Beijing and Seoul also agreed to resume and expand cultural exchanges, including working‑level discussions on films, television dramas and other cultural content.
Both sides have described 2026 as a potential “year of full restoration” for China-South Korea relations, with multiple memoranda of understanding expected across technology, transport and trade sectors.
Lee also underlined that Japan remains a vital partner for South Korea.
This is a reflection of Seoul’s broader strategy of balancing relations among its major neighbours amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly over issues such as Taiwan and regional security.
Analysts say this tightrope approach reflects Seoul’s position at the intersection of U.S. security alliances and China’s economic weight.
North Korea and regional security
President Lee’s remarks came against the backdrop of ongoing regional security challenges.
North Korea recently launched a series of ballistic missiles ahead of the summit, an action condemned by Seoul and Tokyo and seen as a reminder of Pyongyang’s advancing nuclear and missile programmes.
China’s influence over North Korea has become more complex, with Beijing recently shifting its rhetoric on Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.
Official statements and policy documents now emphasise peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula rather than explicitly calling for denuclearisation, a departure noted by analysts at the Wall Street Journal and LiveMint.
Experts cited by the South China Morning Post observed that China has largely dropped the phrase “denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula” in public statements, signalling a more neutral stance towards North Korea’s nuclear programme.
Observers suggest this shift reflects Beijing’s strategic recalibration, balancing its regional influence with growing U.S.-China competition.
At the same time, South Korea's Lee has sought to strike a careful balance between China and other key partners. Ahead of his China visit, he also reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to the One‑China policy.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the United States must recognise that the “rules of the game” i...
Russian President Vladimir Putin held more than three hours of talks with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on efforts to end t...
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has left for France for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening ties with Paris, including a summit with Frenc...
An eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted air travel, school activities and fishing operations, with hundreds of passengers stranded at Jakarta’s main airport on Sunday.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the United States must recognise that the “rules of the game” in its war against Iran had changed “before it is too late”, a day after Washington struck several Iranian tankers in the Gulf.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held more than three hours of talks with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on efforts to end the Ukraine war.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has left for France for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening ties with Paris, including a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Adidas is facing calls for a boycott after featuring former Israeli soldier Shalev Biton in a campaign for its Single Shoe Service, as critics question the choice against the backdrop of the Gaza war and thousands of life-changing injuries.
Two Greek military pilots were killed on Saturday when an F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed during an air show at Tanagra air base, north of Athens, officials said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held more than three hours of talks with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on efforts to end the Ukraine war.
U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told reporters on Saturday that there is no plan underway to force Palestinians out of Gaza, following Israel's government proposal on relocation plans for people in Gaza.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment