Seoul: In a significant diplomatic move, South Korea's newly elected President Lee Jae-myung has called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to assist in the denuclearization efforts of the Korean Peninsula. This appeal was made during their first telephone conversation, as confirmed by Seoul's presidential office and reported by Yonhap News.
According to Anadolu Agency, Lee, who recently took office following a snap election necessitated by the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, emphasized the importance of China's constructive involvement in achieving peace and stability in the region. In response, President Xi expressed China's commitment to making efforts towards resolving the denuclearization issue, highlighting the mutual benefits for both nations.
The Korean Peninsula has been a point of contention since the inter-Korean war of the 1950s, with South Korea persistently advocating for Pyongyang's denuclearization since its initial nuclear tests in 2006. Relations between North and South Korea have deteriorated, particularly under the previous administration of Yoon Suk Yeol, who assumed office in 2022.
Beyond denuclearization, the conversation between the two leaders also touched on enhancing bilateral ties and advancing their "strategic cooperative partnership." President Xi proposed that both countries work towards a higher level of cooperation, emphasizing the need to safeguard multilateralism and free trade for the stability of global and regional supply chains.
President Lee extended an invitation to President Xi to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea this November, underscoring the importance of China as a partner in both economic and security matters. Lee expressed optimism about strengthening the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership, which he believes can significantly benefit both nations' citizens.
In concluding their conversation, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, setting the tone for future collaboration between the two countries.