Chinese President Xi Jinping met with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik on the 7th in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, where the Winter Asian Games were held, and noted, "It is customary for the head of state to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit," adding, "I am seriously considering attending." Speaker Woo requested the lifting of the 'Hanryong' (Korean Wave ban) due to the inability to enjoy Korean cultural content in China, to which President Xi responded, "There should be no problems in cultural exchanges," leaving room for the possibility of easing restrictions. Attention is focused on whether the improvement of Korea-China relations will gain momentum.
According to the Speaker's Office, Speaker Woo and President Xi met at 4:30 p.m. (local time) at the Taiyangdao Hotel in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, for a 42-minute discussion. The meeting was originally scheduled for 15 minutes, but it extended nearly three times that. A source from the Speaker's Office stated, "As both sides discussed each nation's main interests, the meeting time naturally extended," adding, "The atmosphere was friendly." This is the first meeting between President Xi and a high-ranking South Korean official since Prime Minister Han Duck-soo met with him in September 2023 in Hangzhou, China, and this meeting between the National Assembly Speaker, the second in the protocol order in South Korea, and President Xi is the first in 11 years since former Speaker Chung Ui-hwa in 2014.
The seating arrangement that day also caught attention. Speaker Woo and President Xi sat closely together in seats arranged at the front of the conference room, while members of both the ruling and opposition parties sat in a line on either side, facing them. Prime Minister Han had previously sat in a line with his entourage facing President Xi and the Chinese officials, but there was some distance between him and President Xi. However, a source from Beijing's diplomatic circles noted, "There is no significant difference in the seating arrangement compared to Prime Minister Han's case," adding, "It is quite possible for the meeting to take longer than expected, but still sends a good signal for the relationship between the two countries."
That day, Speaker Woo requested President Xi to visit South Korea on the occasion of the APEC summit to be held in Gyeongju this year. President Xi responded, "It is customary for the head of state to attend the APEC summit," and said, "I am seriously considering attending with the relevant departments." This can essentially be interpreted as a response indicating he would visit South Korea. If President Xi's visit to Korea materializes, it would be the first time in about 11 years since July 2014.
On that day, Speaker Woo also mentioned the necessity of lifting the Hanryong, which has been a longstanding wish of the Korean cultural community. He told President Xi, "In South Korea, we enjoy Chinese cultural content such as movies, dramas, and games freely, but it is difficult to find Korean-related cultural content in China," and stressed, "It is very necessary for young people to communicate and have amicable feelings through cultural openness." President Xi responded, "Cultural exchanges are an attractive aspect of bilateral exchanges, and we must avoid issues arising in that process." Although he did not give a definitive answer regarding the lifting of the Hanryong, he is understood to have left the possibility of easing it depending on the circumstances of improving bilateral relations.
Attention is also focused on whether visa exemptions between the two countries will gain momentum. That day, Speaker Woo stated, "The visa exemption from the Chinese side contributes to mutual goodwill," adding, "The relevant South Korean departments are deeply reviewing (the visa exemptions for Chinese) and will do their best." Previously, China allowed visa-free entry for 38 countries, including South Korea, since last November and extended the maximum stay period from 15 days to 30 days. South Korea began allowing visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists arriving by cruise ships this year, but requires visas for Chinese group tourists or individual tourists arriving by flights or regular passenger ships.
Speaker Woo conveyed his expectation for achieving results related to the follow-up agreement on the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) investment. Last month, the two countries resumed FTA follow-up negotiations for the first time in four years. He also expressed hopes for revitalizing Korea-China trade, stable management of supply chains, and cooperation in the high-tech sector. He requested cooperation to enable South Korean corporations to conduct stable and predictable business activities.
Regarding supply chains, President Xi reportedly said, "China's opening and inclusive policies are firm," and expressed his opposition to decoupling. He noted, "We have learned from the experience of countries that have succeeded through reform and opening," and added, "Especially since my time as the secretary of Zhejiang Province, South Korea has been similar to Zhejiang Province in terms of population and area, but due to economic disparities, it has been the benchmark target." In addition, the two countries agreed to continue communication regarding the excavation of the remains of independence activist An Jung-geun.
Meanwhile, Speaker Woo attended a welcome luncheon for key figures hosted by President Xi and Peng Liyuan ahead of their meeting that day during the Winter Asian Games in Harbin. The luncheon included notable attendees such as Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei, Sadyr Japarov, President of Kyrgyzstan, Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan, Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, and Thomas Bach, Chairperson of the International Olympic Committee.