SEOUL, January 03 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed Seoul’s respect for the “one-China” policy on Taiwan in an interview with China Central Television ahead of his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, underscoring his administration’s intent to stabilize and recalibrate relations with Beijing.
“The healthy development of South Korea–China relations depends on full respect for each other’s core interests,” Lee said in the interview, according to CCTV’s Chinese-language translation released on Friday. “With regard to China’s most core concern, the Taiwan issue, we will uphold our position of respecting the one-China stance.”
Lee stressed that the diplomatic principles agreed upon when Seoul and Beijing established formal ties in 1992 remain valid and continue to serve as the “core guidelines” for bilateral relations. He added that maintaining peace and stability in Northeast Asia, including across the Taiwan Strait, is a shared responsibility.
The remarks come as tensions have risen in the Taiwan Strait, following large-scale Chinese military drills near Taiwan earlier this week. Taiwan’s current ruling party has consistently rejected Beijing’s sovereignty claims over the self-governed island.
Addressing concerns over regional alignments, Lee said South Korea’s military alliance with the United States does not imply confrontation with China. He emphasized that Seoul seeks a “new, equal and cooperative relationship” with Beijing, particularly in artificial intelligence and other advanced technology sectors.
Lee also highlighted the two countries’ shared historical experience of resisting Japanese aggression during World War II, calling for greater efforts to learn from history and prevent its repetition.
As part of efforts to institutionalize dialogue, the South Korean president proposed holding annual summit meetings with China’s leader, signaling a push for more regular and structured high-level engagement.
Lee’s four-day state visit to China begins Sunday, with talks expected to cover regional security, economic cooperation and technology partnerships amid an increasingly complex geopolitical environment in East Asia.
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