Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Wang Yi, head of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Foreign Affairs Office and Foreign Minister, held a four-hour meeting and dinner in Seoul on the afternoon of August 19.
Minister Cho introduced the vision for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, which President Lee Jae-myung outlined in his Liberation Day speech, including multilateral discussions for ending the war. Wang emphasized China's commitment to playing a constructive role in ensuring peace and stability on the peninsula.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Cho and Wang exchanged views on Korea-China relations and mutual interests ahead of the 24th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Cho explained the South Korean government's efforts toward denuclearization and peace on the peninsula, urging China to play a constructive role in facilitating North Korea's return to dialogue.
In his Liberation Day speech, President Lee stated, "We will embark on a journey to end the war and transform the unstable armistice system on the Korean Peninsula into a peace system," proposing discussions among the parties involved to end the long-standing conflict.
Wang responded that China's policy toward the Korean Peninsula maintains continuity and stability, reiterating its commitment to a constructive role for peace and stability. He expressed hope for peaceful coexistence between North and South Korea and wished for continued stability and development on the peninsula.
Minister Cho assessed that the reciprocal state visits by the leaders of both countries have solidified the momentum for a comprehensive restoration of Korea-China relations, emphasizing the need for concrete follow-up measures to benefit the lives of citizens in both nations.
Cho also highlighted the South Korean government's strong support for the successful hosting of the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November, where South Korea will serve as the chair. He urged preparations for high-level exchanges during APEC to begin in earnest.
Wang noted that the reciprocal state visits by the leaders have led to a shared understanding, contributing to the stable and continuous improvement of Korea-China relations. He mentioned that President Lee is actively considering a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit in November and called for joint efforts to facilitate this.
Wang invited Minister Cho to visit China, to which Cho expressed gratitude and emphasized the need to discuss a mutually convenient time for the visit through diplomatic channels.
After the meeting, Wang addressed reporters' questions about whether China would mediate North Korea-U.S. talks, stating, "The North Korea-U.S. summit is a matter for the two sides to decide," but added that the U.S. should change its long-standing hostile policy toward North Korea.
The meeting was attended by South Korean officials, including Deputy Minister Jeong Hee-hye, Director Nam Jin of the Northeast and Central Asia Bureau, Director Kim Seok-woo of the Bilateral Economic Bureau, Director Lee Seok-joo of the International Legal Bureau, and Minister-Counselor Yoo Bok-geun from the South Korean Embassy in China.
Chinese officials included Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming, Deputy Foreign Minister Hua Chunying, Director of the Asian Affairs Department Shen Minjuan, Deputy Director of the News Department Chen Yaowu, and others.
This Korea-China Foreign Ministers' meeting was the first since the meeting in Beijing last September, and it marked Wang Yi's first visit to South Korea since September 2021. Wang had previously visited South Korea in November to assist President Xi at the APEC summit in Gyeongju.
Minister Cho introduced the vision for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, which President Lee Jae-myung outlined in his Liberation Day speech, including multilateral discussions for ending the war. Wang emphasized China's commitment to playing a constructive role in ensuring peace and stability on the peninsula.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Cho and Wang exchanged views on Korea-China relations and mutual interests ahead of the 24th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Cho explained the South Korean government's efforts toward denuclearization and peace on the peninsula, urging China to play a constructive role in facilitating North Korea's return to dialogue.
In his Liberation Day speech, President Lee stated, "We will embark on a journey to end the war and transform the unstable armistice system on the Korean Peninsula into a peace system," proposing discussions among the parties involved to end the long-standing conflict.
Wang responded that China's policy toward the Korean Peninsula maintains continuity and stability, reiterating its commitment to a constructive role for peace and stability. He expressed hope for peaceful coexistence between North and South Korea and wished for continued stability and development on the peninsula.
Minister Cho assessed that the reciprocal state visits by the leaders of both countries have solidified the momentum for a comprehensive restoration of Korea-China relations, emphasizing the need for concrete follow-up measures to benefit the lives of citizens in both nations.
Cho also highlighted the South Korean government's strong support for the successful hosting of the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November, where South Korea will serve as the chair. He urged preparations for high-level exchanges during APEC to begin in earnest.
Wang noted that the reciprocal state visits by the leaders have led to a shared understanding, contributing to the stable and continuous improvement of Korea-China relations. He mentioned that President Lee is actively considering a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit in November and called for joint efforts to facilitate this.
Wang invited Minister Cho to visit China, to which Cho expressed gratitude and emphasized the need to discuss a mutually convenient time for the visit through diplomatic channels.
After the meeting, Wang addressed reporters' questions about whether China would mediate North Korea-U.S. talks, stating, "The North Korea-U.S. summit is a matter for the two sides to decide," but added that the U.S. should change its long-standing hostile policy toward North Korea.
The meeting was attended by South Korean officials, including Deputy Minister Jeong Hee-hye, Director Nam Jin of the Northeast and Central Asia Bureau, Director Kim Seok-woo of the Bilateral Economic Bureau, Director Lee Seok-joo of the International Legal Bureau, and Minister-Counselor Yoo Bok-geun from the South Korean Embassy in China.
Chinese officials included Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming, Deputy Foreign Minister Hua Chunying, Director of the Asian Affairs Department Shen Minjuan, Deputy Director of the News Department Chen Yaowu, and others.
This Korea-China Foreign Ministers' meeting was the first since the meeting in Beijing last September, and it marked Wang Yi's first visit to South Korea since September 2021. Wang had previously visited South Korea in November to assist President Xi at the APEC summit in Gyeongju.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.