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Seong Hyeon Choi

Alcott Wei

Oliver Balch

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “patience” over North Korea’s nuclear programme, the South’s president, Lee Jae Myung, said on Wednesday.
Speaking during a visit to Shanghai, Lee said he had asked Xi to act as a “mediator for peace” on the Korean peninsula, including on the nuclear issue.
He said all channels between the North and South had been blocked and there was “zero trust” between the two sides.
“President Xi noted the efforts until now and said patience is needed,” Lee said.
He added that Chinese Premier Li Qiang had said something similar about patience and Beijing had responded to his mediation request.
Lee said there was a need to understand the North’s perspective, adding: “For quite a long time, we’ve effectively taken military offensive action against the North. Pyongyang was probably extremely nervous.
“It’s caused tremendous hostility, and it’s karmic retribution that’s been building for quite some time. Because of this antagonism, it will take a lot of time and effort to alleviate it and allow dialogue to begin.”
Lee’s visit to China, the first by a South Korean leader since 2019, included a meeting with Xi in Beijing on Monday.
The pair previously met in South Korea during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit at the end of October and early November.
On Wednesday, Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily published an editorial saying the two meetings in as many months sent a positive message, and urged both sides to “cherish the positive momentum in China-South Korea relations”.
It described the two countries as “important neighbours” and “inseparable partners”, adding: “As long as China and South Korea adhere to the principles of ‘peace is precious’, transcending differences in social systems and ideologies, we can achieve mutual success and common development.”
The editorial called for more exchanges involving young people, sport, media organisations, think tanks and local communities.
It also said the two leaders had discussed their countries’ joint wartime struggle against Japan, adding that they should therefore work together to defend the fruits of victory in World War II and safeguard peace and stability in northeast Asia.
Lee has sought to open a “new phase” in ties with China, after several frosty years.
In 2016, Beijing imposed an unofficial ban on South Korean cultural products – such as music, films and TV shows – entering the Chinese market after Seoul allowed Washington to deploy its Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system in the country in 2016.
During the summit, Xi and Lee agreed on the need to resume dialogue with North Korea and on resuming cultural exchanges, according to the South Korean presidential office.
However, the statement China issued after the summit did not mention the North Korean issue.
North Korea has continued to develop its nuclear programme despite the South’s efforts to resume talks on denuclearisation, and on Sunday – the day Lee arrived in China – Pyongyang conducted a hypersonic missile test.
The North’s leader, Kim Jong-un, who oversaw the drill, said it was a “very important strategic task” to maintain and expand a “powerful and reliable nuclear deterrent”, according to state news agency KCNA.


The North has accelerated its build-up of nuclear weapons since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Pyongyang has also supplied Moscow with troops and weapons in exchange for aid and weapons technology.
Kim has also ruled out any possibility of talks with South Korea and insisted that any resumption of talks with the United States would require his country’s recognition as a nuclear power.
Meanwhile, Pyongyang and Beijing have been trying to improve relations, with Kim visiting China in September for a parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
On Wednesday, Lee suggested a phased approach could help restart talks with North Korea, saying it would be “impossible” for Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons, considering its security priorities.
Instead, he said it would be better to “pay the price” to convince Pyongyang to stop making more nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles, and prevent the export of nuclear material.
“We must reduce these in the medium term, and we must not abandon the long-term goal of a nuclear-free Korean peninsula,” Lee said.
“I requested [China] to faithfully explain to the North the sincerity of this [approach] …There was agreement from the Chinese side.”


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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks to journalists at a hotel in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung walks alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping as their spouses follow behind, during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AFP

The South Korean president and first lady arrive in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: AP

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting a factory involved in making tactical guided weapons, at an undisclosed place in North Korea. Photo: AFP/KCNA/KNS

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China

Military

President Lee Jae Myung says he asked his Chinese counterpart to act as a mediator to help restart talks about Pyongyang’s arsenal


President Lee Jae Myung says he asked his Chinese counterpart to act as a mediator to help restart talks about Pyongyang’s arsenal.


Chinese President Xi Jinping urges Seoul to be ‘patient’ over North Korean nuclear talks

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}President Lee Jae Myung says he asked his Chinese counterpart to act as a mediator to help restart talks about Pyongyang’s arsenal

President Lee Jae Myung says he asked his Chinese counterpart to act as a mediator to help restart talks about Pyongyang’s arsenal