South Korea’s Lee Urges China’s Xi to Help Revive Dialogue with North Korea

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to play a constructive role in re-engaging North Korea in dialogue, during Xi’s first visit to South Korea in more than a decade. The appeal came as both leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, underscoring Seoul’s efforts to ease regional tensions and strengthen diplomatic channels with Beijing.

During their bilateral meeting, Lee stressed that “favourable conditions are forming for the resumption of talks with North Korea” and urged Beijing to work alongside Seoul to “restore communication and cooperation.” His comments reflect growing anxiety in South Korea over Pyongyang’s escalating nuclear rhetoric and missile tests, as well as its recent declaration that it no longer seeks reunification with the South.

Xi, in response, reaffirmed China’s commitment to maintaining close ties with South Korea and emphasized the importance of collaboration to promote stability on the Korean Peninsula. According to a statement from Lee’s office, Xi conveyed that Beijing considers Seoul an “important cooperative partner” and that both sides should enhance strategic communication amid shifting regional dynamics.

Beyond the North Korean issue, the two countries signed seven agreements, including a renewed won-yuan currency swap, and memorandums of understanding on technology innovation, cross-border online crime prevention, and services for aging populations. The deals signal a mutual willingness to stabilize economic ties strained in recent years by geopolitical tensions and trade disputes.

Lee also raised sensitive issues during the talks, including China’s sanctions on a South Korean shipbuilder with links to the U.S. defense sector and lingering restrictions on Korean cultural exports — a fallout from Seoul’s earlier deployment of a U.S. missile defense system. Analysts say the meeting reflects Seoul’s balancing act: deepening cooperation with China while maintaining its strategic alliance with Washington.
Xi’s visit, his first since 2014, is seen as part of a broader Chinese diplomatic push to rebuild regional influence amid growing rivalry with the United States. For Seoul, it marks an opportunity to leverage Beijing’s influence over Pyongyang to restore dialogue and reduce military tensions.

While no concrete breakthroughs emerged, both leaders pledged to maintain communication and seek peaceful solutions. The meeting concluded with cautious optimism that renewed China-South Korea engagement could help ease one of East Asia’s most persistent security challenges.