South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for a reset in relations with China, describing the moment as the start of a “new phase” in bilateral ties during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday.
The meeting comes as part of Lee’s four-day official visit to China, his first since taking office and the first by a South Korean leader since 2019. Improving regional security, stabilising diplomatic relations and easing restrictions on South Korean cultural exports are among his main priorities.
Relations between Seoul and Beijing had deteriorated in recent years, particularly under former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who adopted a more openly critical stance toward China. Against this backdrop, Lee’s visit is being seen as an effort to rebuild trust and restore dialogue at the highest level.
During their talks, Lee said the visit represented a “crucial opportunity” to fully restore South Korea–China relations and move them forward in a more constructive direction. Officials from both countries also signed cooperation agreements covering areas such as technology, trade and environmental protection.
President Xi, for his part, stressed the need for closer coordination in an increasingly complex global environment. According to Chinese state media, he urged South Korea to make “correct strategic choices” and highlighted the two countries’ shared history, particularly their resistance to Japanese militarism, as a foundation for deeper cooperation and regional stability.
South Korea’s diplomatic position remains delicate. While it is a key security ally of the United States, it also depends heavily on China as its largest trading partner. Analysts say Lee is expected to continue balancing ties between Beijing, Washington and Tokyo, rather than aligning too closely with any single power.
Security on the Korean Peninsula was also discussed. Lee has expressed interest in reviving dialogue with North Korea and believes China’s involvement is essential in encouraging Pyongyang to curb its nuclear ambitions. He reaffirmed Seoul’s willingness to work with Beijing on practical paths toward peace, even as North Korea continues missile testing.
Another sensitive issue is China’s long-standing, unofficial restrictions on South Korean pop culture. Korean music, television dramas and films have faced limited access in China for nearly a decade, a situation widely linked to Seoul’s deployment of a US missile defence system in 2016. Lee raised the importance of cultural cooperation, noting that entertainment and creative industries are vital to both economies.
While no firm commitments were announced, both sides agreed to pursue a gradual expansion of cultural exchanges. South Korean officials described the talks as “constructive”, suggesting cautious optimism about easing long-standing tensions.
Lee is expected to continue high-level meetings during his visit, including talks with China’s premier and parliamentary leaders. He has also indicated plans to visit Japan later this month, underlining his administration’s broader goal of recalibrating South Korea’s regional diplomacy.
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