South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will travel to China for high-level talks ahead of the APEC summit. Cho plans to meet senior Chinese officials, including his counterpart Wang Yi, to discuss Korea-China relations and other key issues. The visit signals Seoul’s intent to manage Korea-China relations pragmatically and proactively.
Cho’s trip comes despite the usual reciprocal protocol, which would normally see Wang visit South Korea first. Wang has not visited since attending a trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in Busan, while South Korea sent a foreign minister to Beijing last year. At a press briefing, Cho emphasized that Seoul seeks flexibility rather than strict protocol in handling Korea-China relations.
The visit occurs about a month and a half before the APEC summit, which South Korea will host in Gyeongju. Beijing has not confirmed whether President Xi Jinping will attend, though expectations remain high. Xi has consistently participated in APEC summits, and this would mark his first visit to South Korea in over 11 years. Analysts expect discussions to focus heavily on Korea-China relations and regional cooperation.
Cho is also expected to discuss Xi’s possible visit in depth with Chinese officials. Moreover, North Korea’s nuclear program will likely dominate talks. Seoul has grown concerned over China’s shifting stance on denuclearization after Xi met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently. Observers note that Beijing’s statement omitted any mention of denuclearization, raising speculation about China’s tacit acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear status.
Another topic for the meetings is maritime security in the West Sea. South Korea seeks to address structures built unilaterally by China in the jointly managed maritime zone. Cho’s discussions aim to ensure stability and prevent disputes in the shared waters. Analysts note that diplomacy and dialogue remain crucial to maintaining peace and strengthening Korea-China relations.
Overall, South Korea’s diplomat visit reflects a proactive approach to both bilateral relations and regional security. Cho’s discussions will likely set the stage for future cooperation and clarify Beijing’s intentions on North Korea. Through these talks, Seoul intends to balance economic, diplomatic, and security priorities effectively.
