South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on January 5, the second day of his four-day state visit—the first by a sitting SK leader since 2019. Amid prior announcements of economic talks, discussions emphasized Korean peninsula denuclearisation, regional peace, and bilateral normalisation, with Seoul urging Beijing's constructive role.
President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to China, announced late December 2025 with a focus on supply chains, trade, and a large business delegation, shifted emphasis to security on Monday. Meeting Xi in Beijing—their second summit following November 2025's APEC sidelines encounter in South Korea—Lee addressed escalating tensions from North Korea's nuclear/missile advances and Russia ties.
National security adviser Wi Sung-lac previewed Beijing talks on Friday, stating per Yonhap that full normalisation of Seoul-Beijing ties could yield a 'breakthrough for Korean issues.' He called for China's 'constructive role' in diplomacy. The agenda builds on economic cooperation (bilateral trade hit $328B in 2024; FTA 10th anniversary) detailed pre-visit, potentially including pacts on investments and digital economy.
Announcements hinted at addressing China's prior 'culture ban'—restrictions on South Korean media and entertainment amid past disputes like THAAD—but specifics remain undisclosed. The trip continues to Shanghai before Lee's return, aiming for strategic partnership stability.
