Overview
- Cheong Wa Dae confirmed a Beijing summit and state dinner, with Lee set to return Jan. 7 after a Jan. 6 stop in Shanghai to honor Korean independence leaders including Kim Koo.
- Foreign ministers Cho Hyun and Wang Yi held phone talks to secure “concrete” and “substantive” results from the trip and exchanged views on regional security and North Korea.
- China’s Foreign Ministry formally confirmed Xi Jinping’s invitation and expressed hope the visit will advance the China–ROK strategic cooperative partnership.
- The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry is organizing a mission of more than 200 executives, with top chaebol leaders expected, alongside a business forum, matchmaking sessions, and planned MOUs on supply chains, investment, the digital economy, and the environment.
- Industry watchers report rising expectations of a thaw in China’s informal curbs on Korean cultural content, and shares of major Korean entertainment firms rallied after the visit was announced.