Wang Yi Says Lee Jae-myung's 'Right Choice' Returned Bilateral Ties to 'Normal Track'… A Test for Strategic Balance Amid ROK-U.S. Alliance

- Wang Yi Pays Courtesy Call on President Lee Jae-myung at the Blue House on the 20th… Fulfilling First Official Visit to South Korea in 5 Years
- China States "Pragmatic China Policy Serves South Korea's Interests"… Pressures for Economic Cooperation Including Early Conclusion of ROK-China FTA Phase 2
- President Lee Responds, "Mutual Visits Projected to Surpass 10 Million This Year… Expectations High for Comprehensive Strengthening of Cooperation"
- Visit to China Expected on Occasion of APEC Summit in November… A Test of Strategic Balance Amid ROK-U.S. Alliance

Diplomatic relations between South Korea and China appear to be moving beyond a rapid thaw and entering a full-fledged honeymoon period. Wang Yi, China's top diplomatic chief and Foreign Minister, praised President Lee Jae-myung's diplomatic stance as a 'correct decision,' officially evaluating that bilateral relations have completely returned to a normal track.
According to political and diplomatic circles on the 20th, Foreign Minister Wang, who is making his first official visit to South Korea in 5 years, paid a courtesy call on President Lee at the Blue House that day to discuss ways to enhance strategic cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, Wang stated, "Thanks to President Lee's correct decision, ROK-China relations have returned to the normal track," emphasizing that the current administration's rational and pragmatic China policy aligns with South Korea's national interests and the trend of the times.

Behind the amicable diplomatic rhetoric lie clear economic and strategic demands from China. Highlighting China as a massive market, Wang called for a joint response to global trade protectionism. In particular, ahead of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, he officially demanded the prompt conclusion of the stalled ROK-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Phase 2 negotiations, pressing for closer economic ties.

President Lee also responded positively. Expressing satisfaction with the rapid improvement in ROK-China relations, President Lee noted, "Mutual visits by the citizens of both countries are expected to exceed 10 million this year." He subsequently showed high expectations for strengthening comprehensive cooperation with China moving forward. Minister Wang previously had a dinner meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on the 19th, and held consecutive meetings with National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lac on this day.

The government is pushing for a visit to China by President Lee, utilizing his attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, this November. However, experts point out that amidst growing volatility in the ROK-U.S. alliance—such as reduced ROK-U.S. joint exercises—delicate diplomatic tightrope walking is required to ensure that the process of accommodating China's overt demands for closer ties is not perceived as a fracture in ROK-U.S.-Japan security cooperation.