President Lee Jae-myung on the 1st said of Korea-China relations that "on the surface, nothing seems particularly wrong, but in substance it is hard to say the relationship is fully normalized or restored," adding, "we need to move beyond simple restoration and find again a path of cooperation that helps each other." It appears to mean that China's "Huhanling" that followed the 2016 THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) crisis has not been lifted, and that the psychological gap remains due to the anti-China stance of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's administration.
On the final day of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, the president answered this way to a Chinese reporter's question about the "outlook for development of Korea-China relations and cooperation plans" at a press conference at Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO). He added, "I think practical restoration of relations and strengthening of practical cooperation are essential," and said, "we plan to discuss (Korea-China cooperation) with an emphasis there. The most important area will be the economy."
He also explained Korea-China relations by likening them to U.S.-China relations. The president said, "Korea and China are in a relationship that competes in several institutional sectors, but in many other respects they cooperate," adding, "relations between countries are highly complex, with the seen and unseen coexisting, and cooperation and competition·confrontation coexisting." He then said, "The United States appears to compete, clash, and be hostile with China, but behind the scenes it also cooperates, engages in transaction, and provides support. It is the same with the relationship between the Republic of Korea and China."
The president said, "The Republic of Korea and China are geographically very close and economically deeply dependent and cooperative," adding, "going forward, even if there are small external obstacles, we will seek to move beyond them toward greater benefits and change." He also said, "For both China and the Republic of Korea, the reason for the existence of the government is a better life for the people and to build a hopeful nation," adding, "we will create many opportunities to cooperate and communicate on the roles that will benefit both China and the Republic of Korea in various areas, especially economic·private-sector exchanges, and further for peace·stability in Northeast Asia."
◇ "If Trump steps in, the Korean Peninsula issue will be resolved … North's rhetoric has softened"
He also mentioned China's role on the North Korea issue. The president said, "I believe China's role is very important in establishing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "Northeast Asia will be stable only when the Korean Peninsula is stable, and I think that aligns with China's interests. We expect China to play a major role."
However, he said the United States' role is the most important for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The president said, "North Korea believes it must receive a guarantee of regime stability from the United States, and is acting accordingly," adding, "there are limits to inter-Korean dialogue. In the end, the role of the United States is crucial." He said that if relations improve through U.S.-North Korea talks, inter-Korean relations will naturally improve as well, adding, "President Trump acting as a peace maker to build peace on the Korean Peninsula is the way to secure the Republic of Korea's security and peace."
Regarding the North's hostile rhetoric, he said, "it seems the intensity of expression has softened compared with the past," adding, "I do not think 'it is over' or 'it is impossible'; these are expressions that inevitably emerge in a process of change." He continued, "The North is suspicious of, angry at, and acting hostile toward the government of the Republic of Korea, but changing this suspicion and confrontational thinking and judgment will require considerable effort," adding, "how could it change all at once? We are taking preemptive steps to make the North feel at ease and able to trust the South."