Seoul weighs China's invitation for president to attend Victory Day military parade

Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen on a screen as Chinese battle tanks take part in a parade held in front of Tiananmen Gate to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender during World War II. Beijing, Sept. 3, 2015. AP-Yonhap

The South Korean government is weighing whether President Lee Jae Myung should attend China’s military parade, held in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japan during World War II.

This will be another diplomatic test for the Lee administration, as the invitation, extended amid heightened regional tensions, reflects China’s efforts to reinforce its historical narratives and expand its regional influence.

For South Korea, Lee’s potential attendance poses a delicate diplomatic balancing act — weighing the importance of its economic relationship with China against its security alliance with the United States and its deeply rooted historical tensions with Japan. Whether he accepts or declines could carry far-reaching implications for regional alignment and the evolving historical discourse in Northeast Asia.

According to diplomatic sources, Wednesday, the Chinese government recently reached out through various diplomatic channels to explore the possibility of Lee attending the event on Sept. 3, called Victory Day and commemorated with a major military parade in Beijing.

The South Korean government is expected to decide on the president’s attendance after a comprehensive review of several factors, including historical precedent, the current state of Seoul-Beijing relations, the broader strategic context of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and Chinese President Xi Jinping's potential participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Korea in late October.

Seoul's presidential office said the issue is under consideration, adding that it is difficult to disclose details.

"Korea and China are communicating on the matter. However, it is difficult to disclose specific details that are being handled through diplomatic channels," an official from the presidential office said.

Asked if the government is linking Lee's potential attendance at the Victory Day event with Xi's attendance at APEC meeting, the presidential office said, "The two nations are communicating closely based on mutual understanding that APEC could bring momentum to further develop the bilateral relationship."

About the issue, an official at South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said, “We need to assess various conditions,” adding “There are many factors to consider.”

Beijing’s invitations extend beyond leaders of socialist states. According to Japan’s Kyodo News, China is also seeking to attract Western figures to attend the event, including U.S. President Donald Trump.

While Seoul is likely monitoring Trump’s potential participation, most watchers believe his attendance is unlikely amid persistent U.S.–China tensions.

Although the Lee administration has emphasized a pragmatic foreign policy and expressed interest in managing relations with Beijing more effectively, participation in an event that prominently showcases Chinese military power could present diplomatic complications, particularly given South Korea’s deep security ties with its key ally, the U.S.

Observers also recall the controversy surrounding former President Park Geun-hye’s attendance at China’s 70th Victory Day celebrations in 2015. She was the sole leader from the liberal democratic bloc to attend the military parade, which most Western leaders pointedly boycotted. Park’s participation was seen as an effort to bolster ties with Beijing and enlist its cooperation regarding North Korea’s nuclear threat, despite unease in Washington and among other allies.

However, Beijing's response to subsequent North Korean nuclear test provocations fell short of Seoul’s expectations at the time. Relations between South Korea and China further deteriorated following Seoul’s decision to deploy the U.S. THAAD missile defense system, setting off a prolonged diplomatic standoff.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul told The Korea Times, Wednesday, that it would welcome South Korea’s participation in the upcoming commemoration.

“When China held commemorative events for the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the attendance of a South Korean leader at China’s invitation produced positive outcomes. China welcomes South Korea’s participation in this year’s commemorative events,” the embassy said in a written message.