It was reported on July 2 that China has expressed its intention to invite President Lee Jae Myung to the "80th Anniversary of the Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War (World War II Victory Day)" to be held in early September in Beijing. For the new administration, which has consistently expressed its commitment to restoring relations with China that deteriorated under the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration, this is expected to serve as a test of its "balanced diplomacy toward China."
According to diplomatic sources, the Chinese government recently inquired through diplomatic channels about the possibility of President Lee attending the Victory Day event. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, and China is planning a grand celebration, with invitations reportedly extended not only to leaders of socialist countries but also to those of Western nations, including the United States. Previously, Japanese media reported that China intends to invite former U.S. President Donald Trump to the Victory Day event as well.
The Korean government is reportedly deliberating over whether President Lee should attend the Victory Day event. The last time a Korean president attended China's Victory Day ceremony was in 2015, when former President Park Geun Hye participated. At that time, all Western leaders, including those from the United States, boycotted the 70th anniversary event, making Park the only leader from the free world to attend, which sparked controversy. With China currently engaged in territorial disputes with neighboring countries in the South China Sea and using the Victory Day event to showcase its military strength, attending the ceremony could present diplomatic challenges for Korea.
However, the Lee Jae Myung administration has been emphasizing "pragmatic diplomacy" and is making efforts to advance Korea-China relations. President Lee previously spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping by phone on June 10 and directly requested Xi's attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to be held in Gyeongju at the end of October or early November. Whether former President Trump will accept China's invitation to attend the Victory Day event is also a factor that must be considered.
Kang Youngshin, Director General of the Northeast Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (right), and Liu Jinsong, Director General of the Asian Affairs Department at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held Korea-China director-general level talks in Seoul on the 1st and are taking a commemorative photo. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Meanwhile, Kang Youngshin, Director General of the Northeast and Central Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held Korea-China director-general level talks with Liu Jinsong, Director General of the Asian Affairs Department at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at an undisclosed location in Seoul the previous day. This Korea-China director-general level meeting was the first in about six months since the last one held in China in December of last year.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Both sides agreed to continue communication at all levels based on a shared understanding of the need to develop Korea-China relations on the occasion of the Gyeongju APEC summit," adding, "They also discussed specific measures for cooperation in various fields, including economic cooperation that can make a practical contribution to the lives of both countries' citizens." The official further noted, "The two sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, such as the West Sea and the Korean Peninsula."
On the morning of July 2, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Jung Byungwon met with Director General Liu at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building and stated, according to the ministry, "Let us continue our efforts to ensure the mature development of the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership."
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