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Lee Begins China State Visit, Sets Xi Summit on North Korea and Trade

Seoul seeks a reset with Beijing that puts denuclearization back in view.

Overview

  • Lee arrived in Beijing for a four-day trip, the first South Korean presidential state visit to China since 2017.
  • Hours before his arrival, North Korea launched ballistic missiles into the East Sea, underscoring security stakes for the talks.
  • A large delegation of Korean business chiefs joined events where officials said more than 10 cooperation MoUs are expected in AI, green energy, supply chains and tourism.
  • Lee reaffirmed respect for the One China policy in a CCTV interview as Seoul navigates tensions following Chinese military drills near Taiwan.
  • Agenda items include widening legal access for Korean cultural content in China and addressing Chinese steel structures in overlapping Yellow Sea waters, with further meetings planned with Li Qiang, Zhao Leji and Shanghai officials.