President Lee Jae-myung will make a state visit to China for four days and three nights from Jan. 4 to 7. It comes about two months after the two leaders met at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju late last month, confirmed the restoration of the "strategic cooperative partnership," and said they would discuss ways to contribute to the everyday economy. Attention is on whether this summit will effectively lead to the lifting of the so-called "hanhanryeong" (ban on the Korean Wave) on Korea's culture and tourism industries.
According to Presidential Office Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, the president will hold a summit and attend a state banquet in Beijing from the 4th to the 6th of next month at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The presidential office is also coordinating meetings between the president and Chinese political leaders, and a meeting with the Korean community is planned. From the 6th to the 7th, Lee will visit Shanghai.
The Spokesperson said, "Through this visit, the two leaders will meet again about two months after the APEC summit to solidify the trend of fully restoring the South Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership and discuss ways to produce outcomes that tangibly contribute to people's livelihoods in both countries, including supply chain investment, the digital economy, and responses to transnational crime."
Regarding the Shanghai schedule, the Spokesperson said, "In 2026, which marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Baekbeom Kim Gu and the 100th anniversary of the Shanghai Provisional Government building, we will reflect on the historical significance," adding, "We also plan events to promote partnerships between corporations from both countries in the venture startup sector that will lead future cooperation between South Korea and China."
On the possibility that large-scale K-pop concerts and other cultural events will be held in China on the occasion of the South Korea-China summit, the presidential office said, "We have not officially announced any schedule for cultural performances," adding only that "we are coordinating the details with the Chinese side."
The Chinese government has never officially announced a hanhanryeong. But it has informally implemented restrictions across the cultural industry, including Korean content. Approval related to Korean drama has effectively been halted, and imports or remakes of Korean entertainment content have been put on hold one after another. In particular, bans on appearances by Korean entertainers on broadcasts, casting in films, and performances have continued.
The key question, therefore, is whether "lifting the hanhanryeong" will be placed on the agenda at this summit. In response to related questions, the Spokesperson said, "It is difficult to state the exact agenda right now. The two leaders are still coordinating the agenda," but added, "This is a venue to expand opportunities for economic cooperation and to discuss the overall situation in Northeast Asia within a relationship where the two countries cooperate with each other."