Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Lee’s ‘pragmatic diplomacy’ faces major test at Gyeongju APEC summit
President Lee Jae Myung smiles while watching an APEC promotional video, in this behind-the-scenes photo released on social media, Oct. 2. Courtesy of President Lee Jae Myung's social media
By Anna J. Park
Korea required to play coordinator role for US-China rivalry
With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, just over a week away, global attention is increasingly focused on President Lee Jae Myung. How he navigates the complex diplomatic landscape could redefine Korea’s international standing and test his administration’s “pragmatic, national interest-driven” approach to foreign policy.
The summit will be a pivotal moment for Seoul, with high-stakes developments converging, such as a much-anticipated U.S.-China summit and even a potential U.S.-North Korea meeting.
Lee himself is also preparing for a series of critical bilateral meetings. These include a Korea-U.S. summit and ongoing tariff talks with U.S. President Donald Trump as well as a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will visit Korea for the first time in 11 years, to manage cooperation on the North Korean nuclear issue. Lee also faces the significant task of maintaining momentum in relations with Tokyo, through his first meeting with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Against this backdrop, experts warn that Lee’s diplomatic leadership will face formidable challenges on the global stage. However, they added that prospects could improve if the the Korea-U.S. tariff stalemate is resolved ahead of the summit.
Kim Heung-kyu, a professor at Ajou University and director of the U.S.-China Policy Institute, called the situation a diplomatic dilemma, noting that pursuing or even articulating a pragmatic approach to foreign policy has grown increasingly challenging.
He explained that the first step must be to untangle the complex issues within the Korea-U.S. relationship amid stalled tariff negotiations and the broader U.S.-China strategic rivalry.
“We are effectively constrained by how the Korea-U.S. tariff talks unfold,” Kim said. “Without meaningful progress there, it will be difficult to take the next step such as deepening cooperative ties with China.”
President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters during a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., Tuesday (local time). AP-Yonhap
Kim added that Trump’s visit to Korea appears to be driven by two primary goals: securing momentum for his summit with China and extracting further concessions from Seoul in the ongoing trade negotiations.
“For South Korea, it’s not easy to respond swiftly under these circumstances,” he said. “In this environment, speed does not necessarily lead to sound decisions in the trade talks. Moreover, given the quasi-confrontational atmosphere between the U.S. and China, any policy moves by South Korea that are seen as favoring one side risk being viewed as hostile by the other.”
Police conduct a security drill using patrol cars and motorcycles at Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center, the venue of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit later this month, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Monday. Yonhap
Cha Du-hyeogn, vice president of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, echoed concerns over the challenges Seoul faces at the APEC summit, expressing skepticism about the prospects for meaningful outcomes. He argued that while the summit may offer a platform for dialogue, tangible progress on regional or systemic issues remains unlikely.
“This isn’t about South Korea’s diplomatic capacity,” Cha said. “The global security environment has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Countries have become more confrontational, each seeking to project strength rather than pursue compromise. The desire to dominate, rather than reconcile, defines the current international order.”
He added that although major breakthroughs are improbable, smaller bilateral gains could still materialize.
“The United States, China and other participants will want to save face — they’re not attending to fight — but this won’t mark a turning point,” Cha said, noting that “even amid calls for ‘pragmatic diplomacy,’ the uncertainty surrounding global geopolitics remains as deep as ever.”
An aerial view of Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit will be held at the end of October. Courtesy of Gyeongju City
Kang Jun-young, a China expert and professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, shared a similar view that “smooth progress in Korea-U.S. and Korea-China negotiations is essential for Seoul to play a leading role at APEC.”
Kang emphasized that despite Seoul’s limited leverage, it should aim to serve as a “natural coordinator” between Washington and Beijing and pursue pragmatic gains through balanced diplomacy.
“With Trump and Xi now set to meet, the summit will inevitably revolve around U.S.-China dynamics,” he said. “Trump is unlikely to attend the plenary session, while Xi will probably focus on multilateral engagements. If, during the drafting of the APEC declaration, South Korea can act as a middle power to help ease tensions ... that would represent a meaningful diplomatic achievement.”
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2017. AFP-Yonhap
Still, Kang expressed cautious optimism, highlighting that even modest outcomes should not be seen as a failure.
“APEC is an annual forum, and China, as a future host for the next year's event, won’t want to see it derailed. With Trump in attendance, both the U.S. and China are expected to temper tensions, recognizing that continued tariff escalation benefits no one,” he said.
“If Seoul can demonstrate that the two major powers are managing risks responsibly, that in itself would be a success. As long as APEC conveys a message of stability and cooperation, it will have achieved its purpose.”