South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that relations with China have improved significantly and that he has asked President Xi Jinping to help support Seoul’s renewed push to engage North Korea, as the region grapples with prolonged nuclear tensions.
Speaking to South Korean media during a visit to Shanghai, Lee said his talks with Xi focused on rebuilding trust between Seoul and Beijing and exploring diplomatic pathways to restart dialogue with Pyongyang. The comments were broadcast live on South Korean television and later confirmed by officials, according to Reuters.
The remarks underscore Lee’s effort to reset regional diplomacy by easing strains with China while seeking progress on one of Asia’s most entrenched security challenges.
Lee said he explained to Xi the steps South Korea has taken to reopen communication with North Korea, efforts that have so far failed to gain traction. He added that he explicitly asked the Chinese leader to play a mediating role in encouraging dialogue and stability on the Korean peninsula.
“President Xi acknowledged our efforts so far and said patience is needed,” Lee said, describing China’s response to Seoul’s outreach attempts.
Xi, Lee noted, also cautioned that rebuilding trust between countries requires sustained effort. Quoting the Chinese leader, Lee said, “Talk is easy, but action is not so easy,” a reflection on the slow and careful nature of diplomacy.
The meeting in China was Lee’s second face to face discussion with Xi in less than three months, highlighting the pace of renewed engagement since Lee took office. Relations between Seoul and Beijing had cooled in recent years, particularly after South Korea’s 2017 decision to deploy a United States missile defense system, a move that prompted unofficial Chinese restrictions on Korean cultural exports.
Lee has said he wants to open what he called a new phase in relations with China, balancing security ties with Washington while restoring economic and diplomatic cooperation with Beijing.
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During his remarks, Lee also touched on broader regional dynamics, saying he told Xi that diplomacy requires careful management of each country’s core interests. He expressed hope that recent tensions between China and Japan could be eased through dialogue.
Lee emphasized that South Korea views its relationship with Japan as just as important as its ties with China, signaling Seoul’s intent to maintain equilibrium among its key regional partners.
As Lee’s visit to China continues, officials in Seoul say further discussions are expected to focus on trade, cultural exchanges, and coordination on North Korea. Whether Beijing will actively mediate remains unclear, but Lee’s outreach reflects a renewed diplomatic push after years of stalemate on the peninsula.