Lee Jae Myung Meets Xi in Beijing, Discusses North Korea, Trade, Culture
Updated (8 articles)
Lee Arrives in Beijing as North Korea Tests Missiles President Lee Jae Myung landed in Beijing on Sunday, the first South Korean president to visit China since 2019, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea‑Kyung and a large business delegation [2][1][3]. Hours before his arrival, North Korea launched unidentified ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, marking its first weapons test of the year and adding security tension to the visit [2][1]. Lee’s schedule includes a meeting with Korean expatriates in China to gauge their concerns [2].
Monday Summit to Tackle Korean Peninsula Security The Monday summit will bring Lee and President Xi Jinping together to coordinate on North Korean denuclearization, peace on the peninsula, and broader regional security [1][6][3]. Sensitive topics such as China’s steel structures in the overlapping Yellow Sea zone and Seoul’s One‑China policy regarding Taiwan are expected to be raised [1][3][6]. Both leaders will also address trans‑national crime and climate cooperation as part of the broader agenda [6].
Business Forum Aims for Ten Plus MOUs Korea‑China economic forum in Beijing will host executives from Samsung, SK Group and LG, with officials projecting more than ten memorandums of understanding covering artificial intelligence, green energy, supply‑chain resilience and tourism [1][2][5]. The delegation’s presence underscores Seoul’s push to deepen trade ties and secure rare‑earth and chip supplies from China [7]. Officials anticipate the MOUs will translate into concrete joint projects during the four‑day state visit [5].
Cultural Ties and Content Access on Agenda Seoul will press Beijing to expand access to Korean television, music and film, which have faced unofficial restrictions since South Korea deployed the THAAD missile‑defence system in 2017 [2][4][6]. National Security Adviser Wi Sung‑lac reiterated South Korea’s adherence to the One‑China policy while seeking ways to boost people‑to‑people exchanges [4][6]. Cultural cooperation is positioned as a confidence‑building measure alongside the economic and security discussions [3].
Shanghai Stop Marks Historical Commemorations and Startup Event After the Beijing talks, Lee will travel to Shanghai to visit the former site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea and commemorate the centennial of its establishment and the birth anniversary of independence leader Kim Gu [4][5][7]. He will also attend a startup forum linking Korean and Chinese entrepreneurs, highlighting Seoul’s interest in venture collaboration [5]. Lee is scheduled to return to Seoul on Wednesday, concluding the four‑day visit [4].
Sources (8 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: Lee to meet Xi in Beijing for Monday summit on North Korea, trade and culture: Details the summit’s agenda, business forum, and sensitive issues like Yellow Sea structures and Taiwan .
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[2]
Yonhap: Lee Jae Myung arrives in Beijing for Xi summit as North Korea fires missiles: Emphasizes Lee’s arrival timing, missile test, and cultural‑content discussions .
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[3]
Yonhap: Lee Jae Myung arrives in Beijing for Xi talks on North Korea and trade: Highlights pragmatic diplomacy, economic MOUs, and maritime disputes .
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[4]
Yonhap: Lee Jae Myung departs for Beijing for Xi Jinping summit talks: Focuses on departure, Shanghai historical visits, and startup event .
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[5]
Yonhap: Lee Jae Myung heads to Beijing for Xi summit during four‑day state visit: Outlines schedule, strategic partnership goals, and One‑China reaffirmation .
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[6]
Yonhap: Lee Jae Myung and Xi Jinping set for Monday Beijing summit on Korean peace and denuclearization: Stresses denuclearization focus and broader cooperation themes .
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[7]
The Hindu: China's Xi to host South Korea's Lee in New Year amid Japan tensions: Places the visit in the context of heightened China‑Japan friction and mentions tech‑chip and K‑pop cooperation .
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[8]
Yonhap: Lee to visit China for Xi summit next week: Provides pre‑visit briefing, strategic partnership language, and Shanghai commemorations .
Timeline
Dec 30, 2025 – President Lee Jae Myung announces a week‑long trip to China, saying the summit with Xi Jinping will “restore and deepen the strategic cooperative partnership” and deliver tangible benefits for both peoples. The visit marks the first South Korean presidential state trip to China since 2017 and will include a stop in Shanghai to commemorate the 150th anniversary of independence hero Kim Gu and the centenary of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Business events aim to boost venture‑startup ties between the two economies. [8]
Jan 2, 2026 – Chinese President Xi Jinping hosts South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for a state visit beginning Sunday, signaling Beijing’s push to strengthen ties with Seoul amid “the chilliest” China‑Japan relations after Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan remark. The meeting is the second Xi‑Lee encounter in two months, underscoring Beijing’s focus on economic cooperation in rare‑earths, AI chips and tourism. [1]
Jan 2, 2026 – Lee’s four‑day state visit starts Sunday, with the Monday Beijing summit slated to discuss “peace and denuclearization” on the Korean Peninsula. National Security Adviser Wi Sung‑lac says Seoul will “build capabilities to counter North Korea’s evolving threats,” including a new nuclear‑powered submarine, and reaffirms respect for the One‑China policy as Taiwan tensions rise. [7]
Jan 4, 2026 00:02 UTC – Lee begins his four‑day Beijing visit, the first by a South Korean president since 2019, and frames the trip as “pragmatic diplomacy” to stabilize ties with China while preserving the U.S. alliance. He will attend a Korea‑China economic forum and sign more than ten MOUs on AI, green energy and supply‑chain cooperation. Sensitive topics include China’s steel structures in the overlapping Yellow Sea zone and questions on Taiwan, which Lee is expected to address after a CCTV interview reaffirming the One‑China stance. [6]
Jan 4, 2026 03:52 UTC – Lee departs Seoul for Beijing, traveling with a large business delegation. He and Xi are set to meet Monday, their second encounter in two months, and anticipate over ten MOUs covering artificial‑intelligence, green energy and tourism. Seoul plans to expand Korean cultural content in China, a restriction that dates back to South Korea’s 2017 deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile‑defence system. [5]
Jan 4, 2026 06:24 UTC – Lee arrives in Beijing, emphasizing the need to “stabilize ties with China” while maintaining the U.S. security partnership. The agenda repeats the focus on North‑Korea denuclearization, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges, with particular attention to the Yellow Sea maritime structures and reaffirmation of the One‑China policy in a CCTV interview. [4]
Jan 4, 2026 07:26 UTC – Hours before Lee’s arrival, North Korea fires unidentified ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, marking its first weapons test of the year and adding tension to the visit. Lee proceeds with the scheduled Monday talks, a large business forum and more than ten MOUs, and plans a Shanghai stop to visit the historic Provisional Government site and attend a startup event before returning Wednesday. [3]
Jan 4, 2026 22:08 UTC – Lee meets Xi in Beijing for a Monday summit that follows their APEC sideline encounter in Gyeongju two months earlier. Xi has just arrived in Beijing for a four‑day state visit, hours after North Korea’s missile launch. The talks are expected to cover coordination on North Korea, expansion of economic ties, and sensitive issues such as China’s Yellow Sea steel structures and Seoul’s position on Taiwan, while reaffirming South Korea’s adherence to the One‑China policy. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – General Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, remarks that “Korea sits at the crossroads of Northeast Asia’s power dynamics,” highlighting the strategic importance of Lee’s China trip amid U.S. troop flexibility, Chinese‑Japanese tensions over Taiwan, and the broader regional security environment. [1]