Baghdad: South Korean National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lak stated that President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping intend to discuss peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula during their summit scheduled for next week in Beijing. Lee is scheduled to begin a four-day state visit to China tomorrow, Sunday, amid media reports indicating a possible visit to Japan later this month for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, when asked about the agenda for the Lee-Xi summit on Monday, Wi replied, “Discussions will be held on peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.” This visit comes less than two months after Xi Jinping’s first visit to South Korea in 11 years, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, marking the first time two heads of state have visited each other twice in such a short period.
Wi told reporters that the two leaders are also expected to discuss practical cooperation in areas including supply chain investments, the digital economy, the environment and climate change, people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and combating transnational crime. He added, “South Korea and China share a common goal of achieving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.”
Regarding China’s concerns about South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, Wei said, “Seoul will clarify its position on the need to build up capabilities to counter the evolving threats from North Korea, following Pyongyang’s recent unveiling of a new nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying nuclear weapons.” He emphasized, “There is a need to respond to the changing security environment. We must monitor and prepare for North Korea’s nuclear submarines.”
When asked about South Korea’s stance on the Taiwan issue, Wi said, “We respect the One China policy and will act accordingly.” Lee’s upcoming visit comes amid heightened tensions around the Taiwan Strait after Beijing conducted large-scale military exercises near the self-governing island earlier this week.
During a phone call with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Seoul to adopt a ‘responsible’ approach to history and adhere to the One China principle on the Taiwan issue. The two leaders will also discuss cultural exchanges as Seoul seeks to expand access to Korean content in China, which has faced unofficial restrictions since the deployment of the U.S. missile defense system in South Korea in 2017.
Wi said, “Although China does not officially recognize the ban on Korean content, we view the situation differently. We will seek to address this issue through expanding cultural exchanges.” Sensitive issues are also likely to be raised, including China’s construction of steel structures in the overlapping maritime area of the Yellow Sea, which Seoul views as a potential prelude to territorial claims.
“The two sides have already held working-level talks on the offshore structure after the issue was raised during Lee’s summit with Xi in November, and Seoul will continue to work toward progress on this matter,” said Wi. Lee is also expected to use the visit to bolster economic ties with China, South Korea’s largest trading partner.
Accompanied by a large business delegation, Lee will meet with business leaders from both countries at an economic forum in Beijing on Monday. On Tuesday, Lee is scheduled to host a luncheon with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is in charge of economic policy, and meet with Zhao Lijie, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature.
In Shanghai, Lee plans to visit the historic site that served as the headquarters of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea during the Japanese colonial period, in commemoration of the centennial of its founding. The visit will also commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of independence hero Kim Gu (1876-1949), who led the provisional government in Shanghai. Wei stated that Lee’s visit to the site aims to honor the sacrifices of those who fought for independence and to recall the history of cooperation between South Korea and China in regaining sovereignty from Japanese rule.