Seoul: South Korean leader prepares to visit China amid heightened tensions with neighboring country. South Korean leader prepares for first head of state visit to China, amid strained relations with Japan and the recent completion of large-scale military exercises to encircle Taiwan.
According to Thai News Agency, South Korea's national security advisor announced today that President Lee Jae-myung will visit China for four days starting January 4th and may also visit Japan later this month for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. This visit marks the first time in 11 years that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit South Korea, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.
South Korea's National Security Advisor revealed that discussions with Chinese leaders will focus on peace and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. They will also discuss practical cooperation in various areas, including supply chain investment, the digital economy, the environment and climate change, people-to-people exchanges, and combating transnational crime. Regarding the stance on Taiwan, the advisor affirmed that South Korea respects the One China policy and will abide by it. This follows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's urging during a phone call with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on December 31, 2025, for South Korea to adhere to the One China policy on the Taiwan issue.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that a large delegation of business executives will accompany Prime Minister Lee on his visit to China. The report included his itinerary: on January 5th, he will attend an economic conference in Beijing; on January 6th, he will have lunch with Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress; and on January 7th, he will travel to Shanghai to visit historical sites that were once the location of the provisional government of Korea during the Japanese colonial period.