The South Korean president reportedly requested for China’s cooperation and mediation on 4 main inter-Korean and worldwide cooperation initiatives
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shake arms forward of their summit held on Oct. 30, 2025, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation discussion board in Gyeongju, South Korea. (pool picture)
Through the South Korea-China summit final week, President Lee Jae Myung reportedly requested for Beijing’s cooperation and mediation whereas outlining 4 main inter-Korean and worldwide cooperation initiatives geared toward enhancing inter-Korean relations and enhancing Northeast Asia cooperation.
In keeping with a number of senior officers accustomed to the main points of the South Korea-China summit spoken to by the Hankyoreh on Monday, Lee requested China’s cooperation and mediation on 4 inter-Korean and worldwide cooperation initiatives throughout his assembly with Chinese language President Xi Jinping on Jan. 5: development of a Seoul-Pyeongyang-Beijing high-speed rail line; a tourism initiative involving Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort space; well being care cooperation with North Korea; and the Higher Tumen Initiative.
A day later, throughout a gathering and luncheon with Chinese language Premier Li Qiang on Jan. 6, Lee reportedly as soon as once more pitched his imaginative and prescient for these 4 initiatives and requested for China’s cooperation and mediation.
Lee revealed throughout a luncheon with the press corps in Shanghai on Wednesday that he had requested Xi to “act as a mediator to alleviate tensions on the Korean Peninsula,” however didn’t disclose particular particulars about what kind of cooperation initiatives had been proposed at their assembly.
Xi reportedly responded positively to Lee’s requests for cooperation and moderation, calling it a “welcome proposal,” whereas nonetheless advising that endurance could be wanted, contemplating the coolness on inter-Korean relations following Pyongyang’s declaration of the connection as considered one of “two states hostile to one another,” and the truth that China solely has a lot affect over North Korea.
An administration official emphasised the importance of the proposal.
“The truth that we managed to make cooperation plans which were within the works for the reason that launch of the present administration an official a part of the agenda up for negotiation via summit diplomacy represents vital progress,” the official mentioned.
By Lee Je-hun, senior employees reporter
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