ED Crucial diplomatic test for Lee

President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Gyeongju National Museum in North Gyeongsang Province, Nov. 1, 2025, ahead of their bilateral summit. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung has embarked on his first state visit to China since taking office, meeting President Xi Jinping barely two months after talks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Such a short interval between summits is unusual in bilateral diplomacy and reflects the new administration’s intent to stabilize and recalibrate relations with Beijing. Coming nine years after the last South Korean presidential state visit to China, this trip marks a pivotal moment, not only for Korea-China relations, but also for the credibility of Lee’s oft-stated commitment to pragmatic diplomacy grounded in principles.

The timing is significant. Having addressed urgent trade issues with the United States, the Lee administration is now turning to its two immediate neighbors, China and Japan, to restore diplomatic balance. The China visit, potentially followed by a presidential visit to Japan, places Korea’s foreign policy squarely on the regional stage. Expectations are high, but so are the risks.

Lee recently reaffirmed Korea’s longstanding respect for the “One China” principle in an interview with Chinese media. This position has been consistent since diplomatic normalization in 1992 and serves as a baseline to prevent unnecessary friction. At the same time, Seoul must exercise extreme caution and not go beyond this established framework. With the U.S.-China strategic rivalry intensifying and global tensions deepening following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — an episode expected to further strain relations between Washington and Beijing — any perceived tilt by Korea could invite misinterpretation and diplomatic fallout.

The Taiwan issue, in particular, demands restraint. While maintaining principled consistency, Seoul should avoid language that could be construed as endorsing unilateral actions or military escalation. In an increasingly polarized international environment, clarity without provocation is the essence of effective diplomacy.

The most pressing priority, however, lies on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea’s recent missile launches, conducted on the eve of Lee’s departure for Beijing, were hardly coincidental. They underscore Pyongyang’s intent to assert its relevance and test regional resolve at a time of renewed diplomatic engagement. In this context, China’s role is indispensable. As the country with the greatest leverage over North Korea, Beijing bears a unique responsibility to contribute to peace and stability.

South Korea must use this summit to press China to play a more constructive role, not merely in facilitating dialogue but in reaffirming the fundamental principle of denuclearization. Dialogue separated from denuclearization risks becoming hollow and dangerous. Without China’s active cooperation, meaningful progress will remain elusive.

Beyond security concerns, long-standing bilateral disputes also demand attention. Issues such as Chinese structures in the West Sea and illegal fishing by Chinese vessels directly implicate South Korea’s sovereignty and cannot be relegated indefinitely to working-level talks. These matters require clear acknowledgment and tangible progress at the highest political level. Xi should agree to Korea's demand to immediately remove illegal facilities in the West Sea, preventing an unnecessary territorial dispute.

Equally important is the unresolved issue of the so-called “Korean wave ban.” While Korean popular culture enjoys global acclaim, it remains unofficially restricted in China, although widely consumed through unauthorized channels. This situation benefits neither side. Normalizing cultural exchanges would foster mutual understanding and generate economic gains, while also demonstrating China’s willingness to move beyond politically motivated restrictions.

The presence of top conglomerate leaders and a large business delegation underscore the economic dimension of the visit. As global supply chains are restructured and competition in advanced industries intensifies, Korea and China must explore new forms of cooperation based on reciprocity and fairness. Past experience has shown that excessive accommodation yields little. Clear principles, not deference, are the foundation of sustainable engagement.

Ultimately, public expectations are straightforward. Koreans want a foreign policy that neither provokes unnecessary confrontation nor sacrifices national interests. Lee has repeatedly said he will pursue “pragmatic diplomacy grounded in principles.” This visit will determine whether that pledge can withstand real-world pressures.

Respect for the "One China" principle should remain firm, but so should Korea’s demands for denuclearization, sovereignty and fair exchange. If Lee can strike that balance — steady in principle, precise in interest — this state visit may mark not just a reset in Korea-China relations, but a defining moment for his administration’s diplomatic legacy.