As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit approaches, the likelihood of a China-South Korea summit is increasing, while North Korea continues to strengthen its ties with Russia. With a US-China-Russia summit confirmed for November 19, there are concerns that South Korea may be excluded from discussions regarding the Korean Peninsula. The prospects for a South Korea-US or North Korea-US summit remain uncertain.
On November 15, the Korean Central News Agency reported that a North Korean delegation led by Jo Yong-won, a secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, visited Russia the previous day. This visit was made at the invitation of the ruling United Russia party.
In contrast, discussions are underway for a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin stated during a press briefing at the South Korean embassy in Beijing that "the relationship between China and North Korea is fundamentally focused on economic cooperation rather than political matters," adding that he had in-depth discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding the potential for a North Korea-US summit.
He emphasized the importance of preparing for changes that the citizens of both countries can feel during the upcoming APEC summit, as the two nations aim to discuss mutual interests and celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
However, it is unlikely that a South Korea-US or North Korea-US summit will take place during this APEC meeting. A foreign ministry official declined to comment on the possibility of a South Korea-US summit, and US President Donald Trump has indicated that he does not plan to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his trip to Asia.
Amid these developments, there are concerns that the Korean Peninsula issue may be addressed at the US-China-Russia summit without the participation of South Korea and North Korea. A senior official from the South Korean foreign ministry conveyed to the US and China that the upcoming summit should not resemble a second Yalta Conference, referring to the 1945 meeting where the leaders of the US, UK, and Soviet Union discussed post-war arrangements and the reorganization of international order.
Kang Jun-young, a professor at the Graduate School of International and Area Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, stated in a conversation with Aju Economy that it is crucial for South Korea to be included in discussions about the Korean Peninsula at the US-China-Russia summit. He also noted that the China-South Korea summit should focus on practical issues such as supply chain cooperation between the two countries.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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