President Lee Jae-myung on the 20th met Wang Yi, Commissioner of the Communist Party of China Central Political Bureau and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is on an official visit to Korea, and said, "After meeting President Xi Jinping in succession last year and this year, we are achieving tangible results in fully restoring Korea-China relations." With the international landscape shifting rapidly, he especially asked for China's role and close communication on Korean Peninsula issues. It is the first time in five years since September 2021 that Director General Wang has visited Korea alone.
According to Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee received Director General Wang at Cheong Wa Dae on the morning of the day and said, "Based on political trust, the two governments are strengthening horizontal and mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic field, and I am pleased that friendship and trust between the peoples of the two countries are becoming even more solid."
He also said Korea would actively support the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Shenzhen, China, in November this year. President Lee said, "As last year's APEC host, we wish for the successful hosting of this year's Shenzhen APEC and will spare no necessary support." Referring to the meetings between the Korea-China leaders in Gyeongju APEC in November last year and in Beijing in January this year, he added, "We hope to produce ample outcomes together that can contribute to the lives of the peoples of both countries and to make Korea-China relations even closer."
Cheong Wa Dae said Lee also asked Director General Wang to maintain close strategic communication on Korea-China relations and Korean Peninsula issues with Korea's diplomatic partners—Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun and Office of National Security Director Wi Sung-lac. Looking back on his meeting with President Xi in January this year, Lee also said, "Please convey my special regards to President Xi."
In response, Director General Wang expressed appreciation for the Korean government's hospitality and said, "Based on the shared understanding reached through the leaders' reciprocal state visits, Korea-China relations are maintaining a stable trajectory of development," adding, "We will play an active role in faithfully implementing the follow-up measures agreed upon by the two leaders in each sector so that we can meaningfully mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year." He also said, "We will make thorough preparations for high-level exchanges between the two countries at the Shenzhen APEC in November."
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The meeting took place as North Korea is closing ranks with Russia in military technology fields such as missiles and satellites while strengthening its strategic alignment with China. In response to the U.S.-led South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation, China is expanding the influence of the North Korea-China-Russia strategic alignment. On top of this, President Donald Trump, whose approval rating is sliding, is seeking an exit through "U.S.-North Korea dialogue," and President Lee is proposing "talks among the parties for an end to the war," making this a moment when China's role is drawing attention both at home and abroad.