Beijing: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday called for exploring 'alternatives' to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Lee made the remarks as Xi hosted him during a state visit to China, his first since taking office last year.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Lee stated that Seoul would work with Beijing to explore 'viable alternatives for peace on the Korean Peninsula so that both countries can jointly contribute to peace, the basic foundation for prosperity and growth.' He emphasized that the year 2026 would be "an important opportunity" for a "full restoration" of South Korea-China relations.
Lee's visit to China coincided with hypersonic missile launches by North Korea, China's ally, on Sunday. It was Pyongyang's first ballistic missile test this year. Since his election in June, Lee has taken steps to restore ties with Pyongyang, but North Korea has shown no response. Relations between the two Koreas deteriorated under the previous administration of Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted last year after imposing controversial martial law.
Calling for a 'new phase' in bilateral relations, Lee expressed his commitment to developing the Seoul-Beijing strategic cooperative partnership into an 'irreversible trend of the times.' Xi reiterated China's commitment to its relationship with South Korea, emphasizing continuity and stability in Beijing's policy toward Seoul.
Following the talks, the two leaders signed 15 cooperation documents covering scientific and technological innovation, environmental protection, transportation, and trade and economic cooperation, as reported by Chinese state media Xinhua. Lee arrived in Beijing on Sunday for his four-day state visit, marking his first trip to China since assuming office in June last year.
Ahead of the meeting, Lee described China as a 'very important partner' for peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula and reiterated Seoul's respect for the one-China policy. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian emphasized the close cooperation between the two countries and expressed hope that Lee's visit would 'further advance' bilateral ties. Lin noted that the leaders' meeting is expected to 'play a positive role' in strengthening relations between China and South Korea, which established diplomatic relations in 1992, with bilateral trade reaching more than $267 billion in 2024.