Gyeongju: President Lee Jae Myung held his first summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, expressing hope to strengthen strategic communication to work together for the resumption of talks with North Korea. Lee welcomed Xi's first visit to South Korea in 11 years to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit held in Gyeongju, aiming for their summit to lay a foundation for "tangible results" that both countries can experience.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee noted the recent increase in high-level exchanges between China and North Korea, viewing it as a positive development that creates conditions for renewed engagement with Pyongyang. He emphasized the importance of strengthening strategic communication between South Korea and China to work toward resuming dialogue with North Korea, highlighting the significance of regional security.
On economic ties, Lee mentioned that bilateral economic cooperation has transitioned from a "vertical structure" to a "horizontal one," stressing the need to build a "mutually beneficial" relationship. Xi affirmed China's commitment to its relations with South Korea, expressing Beijing's willingness to deepen communication with Seoul.
Xi stated that China is willing to enhance communication with South Korea to jointly address challenges and promote the stable, long-term development of their strategic relationship, contributing to regional peace and development. He described South Korea and China as "close neighbors" and "inseparable partners in cooperation," acknowledging their co-prosperity through sustained exchanges and collaboration. Xi emphasized that promoting the healthy and stable development of China-South Korea relations aligns with the interests of both peoples and the spirit of the times.