Particle.news
Download on the App Store

South Korea’s Lee Heads to China for Four-Day State Visit With Xi Summit on Monday

It follows Xi’s Seoul trip two months ago with no joint communiqué expected.

Overview

  • Seoul says Lee will press China to play a constructive role in restarting dialogue with North Korea and to support peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
  • A 200-member business delegation will join the trip, with roughly ten MOUs slated for signing on cooperation in supply chains, artificial intelligence, green energy and tourism.
  • South Korea will seek progress on easing China’s unofficial curbs on Korean cultural content, though officials say a large K-pop concert during the visit is unlikely.
  • Lee has reaffirmed respect for the one-China policy as Beijing steps up pressure over Taiwan, and the visit comes before a planned meeting between Seoul and Tokyo.
  • Sensitive bilateral issues will be raised, including Chinese steel structures in the Yellow Sea, with working-level talks continuing and no joint post-summit statement anticipated.