Seoul: South Korea on Thursday urged China to play an influential role in creating favorable conditions for the resumption of dialogue with North Korea. This call was made during a meeting between South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo and China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu in Beijing, as announced by Seoul's foreign ministry.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting took place amidst South Korea's efforts to manage its relations with China, its largest trading partner and a significant economic supporter of North Korea. This comes in the context of ongoing strategic rivalry between China and the United States, as well as Seoul's initiative to improve its relationship with Pyongyang.

The South Korean ministry reported that Vice Minister Park outlined the government's policy aimed at ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and requested that China assist in fostering conditions to reopen dialogue with North Korea. In response, Ma Zhaoxu affirmed China's ongoing commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Both countries agreed to work cooperatively to enhance mutual political and friendly trust, aiming to sustain the positive trajectory in their bilateral relations. This dialogue marked the first of its kind since the inauguration of the Lee Jae Myung government in June.

The meeting also addressed mutual concerns, such as China's construction of steel structures in the overlapping sea zone in the Yellow Sea. These structures have sparked speculation about China's intentions to assert territorial claims, similar to its actions in the South China Sea.

The ministers acknowledged the recovery in bilateral relations following recent summit talks between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Gyeongju. They agreed to implement follow-up actions in a substantive manner through active exchanges at both governmental and private sector levels.

Discussions also included ways to rejuvenate cultural exchanges, aiming to bridge the emotional divide between the people of both nations. The ministry highlighted that while China has never formally confirmed it, there have been restrictions on the inflow of Korean cultural content, including K-pop concerts and Korean films.