“We projetons de discuter de l’état général des relations bilatérales, en particulier des questions nécessitant une coordination entre les deux pays à l’approche du sommet de la Coopération économique pour l’Asie-Pacifique (Apec),” Cho Hyun said.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun departed for China on Friday to meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi regarding bilateral relations and Korean Peninsula issues, the Agence de presse Yonhap reported. The discussions in Seoul and subsequent meetings aim to address regional security and economic cooperation as leaders prepare for the upcoming summit.
Cho and Wang are scheduled to hold extensive talks regarding the overall scope of bilateral relations. The diplomatic engagement comes ahead of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s trip to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Shenzhen next week. The ministerial meeting serves to establish groundwork for a potential gathering between Lee and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The discussions also encompass pending bilateral matters, including methods to strengthen economic and cultural exchanges, alongside maritime structures established in the Yellow Sea. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Beijing attaches high importance to the visit and intends to collaborate with Seoul to implement agreements previously reached by both nations’ leaders.
The agenda includes critical affairs tied to North Korea, specifically evaluating the potential for renewed dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang. Speculation persists regarding a possible encounter between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump during the latter’s Asian tour. When questioned about Beijing’s willingness to mediate between Washington and Pyongyang, Cho expressed uncertainty regarding the depth of China’s involvement.
“Je ne pense pas qu’il y ait beaucoup de chance que la Chine invite activement (Kim) au sommet de l’Apec, mais il est encore trop tôt pour le dire,” Cho stated to journalists at Gimpo International Airport.
Wang accompanied Xi during a visit to the United States in August and was present during Kim’s unannounced visit to the Chinese border city of Dandong last month. Wang also met with senior Workers’ Party official Kim Song-nam in Beijing last week.
| Key Official | Role | Recent Diplomatic Engagement |
|---|---|---|
| Cho Hyun | South Korean Foreign Minister | Departed for China on Friday for meetings with Wang Yi |
| Wang Yi | Chinese Foreign Minister | Hosted Cho Hyun in Seoul and met with North Korean officials |
| Kim Song-nam | Senior Workers’ Party Official | Met with Wang Yi in Beijing last week |
An official from the South Korean presidential office indicated on Thursday that a direct meeting between Kim and Trump on the sidelines of the Apec summit remains unlikely. The official added that predicting whether the two leaders will meet before or after the summit is difficult.
“Nous projetons de tenir des discussions globales avec la Chine sur ces questions, notamment les affaires liées à la Corée du Nord, dont la possibilité d’un dialogue Corée du Nord-Etats-Unis,” Cho remarked.
