Scheduled Visit to Beijing on the 17th, North Korea Issue Expected on Agenda
Although It Is Wang Yi's Turn to Visit South Korea, Cho Hyun Heads to China
Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is visiting China for the first time since taking office to discuss bilateral issues, including the North Korean issue. President Xi Jinping's potential visit to South Korea, in connection with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, is also expected to be discussed.
According to diplomatic sources on September 14, Minister Cho will visit Beijing, China, on September 17. He is expected to meet with Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs, among others, to discuss key issues between South Korea and China. If a meeting between the foreign ministers of South Korea and China takes place, the primary topic is likely to be President Xi's potential visit to South Korea during the APEC summit scheduled to be held in Gyeongju at the end of next month. The Chinese government has not yet given a definite answer regarding President Xi's attendance, but the likelihood of his participation is considered high.
The North Korean issue is also expected to be discussed. During the North Korea-China summit held earlier this month on the occasion of China's Victory Day, there was no mention of denuclearization, raising concerns that China's stance of "not tolerating North Korea's nuclear program" may have changed. Minister Cho is expected to reaffirm the two countries' shared goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and emphasize China's constructive role.
The unauthorized structures installed by China in the West Sea near South Korea are also expected to be brought up. In an interview with The Washington Post, Minister Cho stated, "In Northeast Asia, it is another issue that China is causing some problems for its neighboring countries," which has been interpreted as a reference to the structures in the West Sea in the context of South Korea-China relations.
The Lee Jaemyung administration has made strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan the foundation of its foreign policy, but it maintains that relations with China cannot be neglected.
Meanwhile, former Minister Cho Tae-yul visited China in May last year, so it would be customary for the Chinese side to visit South Korea this time. However, as Minister Cho Hyun is newly appointed, he has reportedly decided not to be bound by protocol. At a press conference last month, Minister Cho stated, "Rather than adhering to protocol, I will take a pragmatic approach."
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