Seoul: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit South Korea this week, Seoul's foreign ministry announced on Tuesday. This visit follows President Lee Jae Myung's recent proposal for multiparty talks to formally conclude the 1950-53 Korean War.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Wang's two-day visit will commence on Wednesday. He is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to engage in comprehensive discussions on various topics, including bilateral relations, the Korean Peninsula's situation, and other regional and international matters. The meeting will be followed by a dinner banquet on Wednesday.
On the subsequent day, Wang will meet with President Lee at Cheong Wa Dae to discuss the progress of Seoul-Beijing relations and regional security. During this meeting, President Lee is expected to convey greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, as communicated by Cheong Wa Dae.
Additionally, Wang will meet with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac for a separate meeting and luncheon. Their discussions will cover issues of mutual interest, particularly the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and other international concerns.
The timing of Wang's visit coincides with President Lee's recent Liberation Day speech, where he advocated for peaceful coexistence with North Korea and called for multiparty dialogue to end the Korean War formally. This move aligns with Lee's vision to enhance inter-Korean relations, despite North Korea's current reluctance to engage with Seoul's proposals.
The visit also follows recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who mentioned scaling down U.S.-South Korea military exercises to alleviate cost burdens and maintain positive relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump indicated that Kim had responded to his dialogue overtures, though details remain sparse.
Wang's visit presents an opportunity for Seoul to advance its peace initiatives with North Korea by encouraging Beijing to take a more active role, given its influence over the North. However, China's stance on the Korean Peninsula has largely been restrained, with its policy on North Korea's nuclear and missile threats remaining unchanged.
This trip marks Wang's first visit to Seoul in five years, following his last bilateral talks in September 2021. As China prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, the visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the two countries to evaluate their fully restored bilateral ties and prepare for upcoming high-level exchanges, as stated by Seoul's ministry.