Xi Jinping Mentions Visiting Korea First... Signal for Improving Relations?
Government "Plans to Coordinate Visit Schedule with China"
Amid the recent close ties between North Korea and Russia centered on military and security cooperation, the improvement of South Korea-China relations has emerged as a focal point of interest.
Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who visited Hangzhou, China, to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou. They held a meeting for about 22 minutes, during which Xi stated that he would seriously consider visiting South Korea.
In this regard, Foreign Minister Park Jin said regarding the possibility of President Xi's visit to South Korea, "We expect President Xi's visit to take place at a convenient time." Minister Park appeared on Yonhap News TV on the evening of the 25th of last month and said about the timing of Xi's visit, "We plan to communicate with China for this purpose."
On the 23rd, Han Duck-soo, the Prime Minister of South Korea, who visited China to attend the opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games, held a bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping, the President of China, at the West Lake State Guesthouse. Photo by the Prime Minister's Office
Minister Park explained the background of Xi's mention of the visit, saying, "President Yoon Suk-yeol requested President Xi to visit South Korea during the G20 summit last year, and just recently at the ASEAN summit held in Jakarta, Indonesia, he met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and conveyed the message that President Xi's visit is very meaningful for the development of South Korea-China relations. Therefore, I see this statement as an extension of that."
There is an analysis that Xi's mention of visiting South Korea could be a signal for the improvement of South Korea-China relations.
Yang Wook, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, diagnosed on SBS Radio's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show" on the 26th of last month, "Since the Xi Jinping regime has been established, it is no longer possible to proceed solely with wolf warrior diplomacy. In that context, North Korea-Russia relations are also slightly distanced, and rather, South Korea-China-Japan cooperation is emerging, so it seems they have judged that it is necessary to take a somewhat different stance from before."
Researcher Yang said, "Because China's economy is in very bad shape. Youth unemployment is also at its worst level," adding, "It is not the time for China to continue fighting over hegemony but rather a time to pursue economic pragmatism."
However, it is difficult to expect China to play a role in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. Researcher Yang explained, "The core of China's policy on the Korean Peninsula is the existence of North Korea," adding, "The regime itself exists as a buffer zone for China, which is the most critical point. Of course, China opposes nuclear weapons, but if it is necessary for survival, they do not intend to obstruct nuclear development."
He continued, "To smoothly exit economic dependence on China, it is necessary to maintain a good relationship with China and proceed pragmatically."
Researcher Yang said, "As the South Korea-US relationship strengthens and even becomes a South Korea-US-Japan alliance, China inevitably feels a sense of crisis. Ultimately, in such circumstances, South Korea acts as a mediator for the three countries?South Korea, China, and Japan?to get along well, not to pressure China. In a way, this is balanced diplomacy."
Meanwhile, President Xi has not visited South Korea since his state visit in July 2014 during the Park Geun-hye administration. Although former President Moon Jae-in visited China twice in December 2017 and December 2019 during his term, Xi did not reciprocate the visit. According to diplomatic convention, it is now perceived that it is President Xi's turn to visit South Korea.
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