S. Korean President Lee Jae-Myung Visits China

Seoul-Beijing Summit Talks Held in Chinese Capital

Madame Kim Hea Kyung (left), spouse of South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung, and Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, poses for the photo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Jan. 5, 2026 as the South Korean presidential couple visit Beijing for the summit talks. Photo Courtesy of News1

In an effort to establish new ties between South Korea and China, South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung along with his wife had visited Beijing. Ties between the two countries have been uncertain since the previous President Yoon Suk-Yul was in power. They are at the center as they depend on China for trade along with being an ally to the U.S.

In addition, there were South Korean business leaders like Lee Jae-Yong from Samsung Electronics and Chung Eui-Sun from Hyundai Motor group with President Lee during his visit to China. Along with the Korean business leaders, there were Chinese companies also present such as CATL, a battery manufacturer and ZTE, a telecommunication company. 

Moreover, South Korea is also trying to lift a ban of Korean pop culture from Beijing. This ban is called the “Hallyu ban” and was created in 2016 in retaliation to South Korea deploying a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system. Xi felt very negative about removing the “Hallyu ban.”

According to the Korea Times, “Governments are not supposed to dictate what citizens eat or which movies and concerts they watch. Any such interference, if institutionalized, would violate the fundamental rights people are born with.” 

While China and South Korea relations could set new ties in their diplomatic relations, China and Japan`s relations are deteriorating due to military drills close to Taiwan. These military drills are being condemned by Taipei and Japan while South Korea is avoiding condemnation of China. 

South Korea is avoiding condemning China for their increased military presence in Taiwan because they need China`s help to create dialogue with North Korea since they are an ally to China and the North have shown no effort to create dialogue with the South. Then there is the issue with Taiwan as President Lee possibly respects the “one China” policy. 

President XI Jinping of China said that through dialogue and consultation, the North and the South should address their differences and safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia. 

North Korea also shows no efforts in denuclearization as they want to be known as a Nuclear state. 

While relying on China for trade, South Korea is a U.S. security ally. To lower tariffs by the U.S. President Trump, South Korea has agreed to help the U.S. with shipbuilding.

CNBC reported, “South Korea began to increase its presence in the U.S. maritime industry in 2024, with the $100 million acquisition of Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia from Norwegian industrial investment group Aker ASA. The yard was then renamed Hanwha Philly Shipyard.” 

The shipbuilding industry in the U.S. has been on a decline with a current global market share of 0.04 percent but with the help of their allies such as South Korea which has the second-largest shipbuilding industry globally, they are now rebuilding the U.S. maritime industry. 

During his visit to Beijing, President Lee posted a selfie with his wife First Lady of South Korea Kim Hea-Kyung, President of China Xi Jinping and his wife First Lady of China Peng Liyuan.