FM heads to Beijing to discuss Xi's possible visit to South Korea next month

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport on Sept. 17, 2025. Yonhap

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun headed to Beijing on Wednesday, making his first trip to China since assuming his post.

Cho is set to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi later in the day.

Their discussions are expected to focus on Chinese President Xi Jinping's possible visit to South Korea late next month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the historic city of Gyeongju.

Although Beijing has yet to confirm, Xi is highly likely to attend the multilateral gathering slated for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.

In an editorial published the previous day, China's state-run English daily Global Times said Cho's visit "reflects Seoul's proactive will to improve and develop relations with Beijing," and urged South Korea to work together to "confront" recent U.S. tariff pressures under U.S. President Donald Trump-led "unilateralism and protectionism."

During Cho's two-day visit, North Korea-related issues are also expected to be on the agenda for the first bilateral foreign ministers' meeting.

Amid concerns over China's stance on its traditional ally following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's meeting with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing earlier this month during China's "Victory Day" military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Cho is likely to call for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, stressing the need for China to play a "constructive role" in the process.

AJP