Post by : Meena Ariff

Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the need for “patience” in addressing North Korea’s nuclear programme, according to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The remarks came during Lee’s official visit to China, where he appealed to Beijing to act as a mediator to help ease tensions and revive dialogue on the Korean peninsula.

Speaking in Shanghai on Wednesday, Lee said he had urged Xi to play a constructive role in promoting peace, including efforts related to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. He noted that communication channels between North and South Korea are currently completely shut down and that trust between the two sides has collapsed.

According to Lee, Xi acknowledged the efforts made so far and emphasised that patience would be required to move the situation forward. Chinese Premier Li Qiang also echoed similar views during discussions, Lee added, indicating that Beijing had responded positively to Seoul’s request for mediation.

Lee stressed the importance of understanding North Korea’s security concerns, saying South Korea’s past military posture may have contributed to Pyongyang’s sense of threat. He said prolonged hostility has deepened tensions over time, making reconciliation and renewed dialogue a slow and difficult process.

The visit marked the first trip to China by a South Korean leader since 2019 and included a meeting between Lee and Xi in Beijing earlier in the week. The two leaders had also met recently in South Korea during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, holding talks twice within a short span.

China’s state-run People’s Daily welcomed the back-to-back meetings, describing them as a positive signal for bilateral ties. An editorial urged both nations to build on the momentum and strengthen cooperation, calling China and South Korea close neighbours and indispensable partners. It highlighted the importance of peaceful cooperation despite differences in political systems and ideologies.

The editorial also encouraged greater exchanges between young people, media organisations, think tanks, sports bodies and local communities. It recalled the shared wartime history of the two countries against Japan, urging joint efforts to uphold the legacy of World War II and maintain stability in northeast Asia.

Lee has been working to reset relations with China after years of strain. Ties cooled significantly after South Korea allowed the deployment of a US missile defence system in 2016, prompting Beijing to impose unofficial restrictions on South Korean cultural content.

During the recent summit, both sides agreed on the need to resume dialogue with North Korea and restart cultural exchanges, according to Seoul. However, China’s official statement did not directly reference the North Korean nuclear issue.

North Korea, meanwhile, has continued advancing its nuclear and missile programmes. On Sunday, the day Lee arrived in China, Pyongyang conducted a hypersonic missile test. Leader Kim Jong-un described the move as vital to strengthening a reliable nuclear deterrent.

North Korea has accelerated its weapons development since the outbreak of the Ukraine war in 2022 and has reportedly provided Russia with troops and arms in return for support and technology. Kim has ruled out talks with South Korea and said any future engagement with the United States would require recognition of North Korea as a nuclear state.

Lee suggested that a phased and realistic approach could help restart talks, acknowledging that immediate denuclearisation is unlikely. He proposed focusing first on halting further nuclear development, limiting missile production and preventing the spread of nuclear materials, while maintaining the long-term goal of a nuclear-free peninsula.

He said China had agreed to convey South Korea’s sincerity and proposed approach to North Korea, signalling cautious but meaningful support for renewed diplomatic efforts.

#Politics News #World News #China