Lee Jae-myung, Trump Rumored for Gyeongju Meeting? China Emphasizes Importance of High-Level Exchanges with Japan

Wang Yi Stresses High-Level Exchanges in Call with Motegi Toshimitsu, Could This Thaw Relations?

On October 28, 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of high-level exchanges between China and Japan and the need to improve relations during a phone call with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. This diplomatic move, ahead of the APEC summit scheduled for October 31, 2025, in Gyeongju, is drawing attention to its potential positive impact on China-Japan-Korea relations. Notably, with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea expected to take place after 11 years, analysts suggest this call could mark a thawing of the frozen diplomatic relations in Northeast Asia. Minister Wang Yi's remarks are interpreted as reflecting the Chinese government's intention to restore China-Japan relations, which have been strained in recent years, and further strengthen the trilateral cooperation system among China, Japan, and South Korea. Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to visit South Korea for a two-night, three-day trip to attend the APEC summit, and a summit with President Lee Jae-myung is reportedly being coordinated for the 30th. This summit is expected to involve in-depth discussions on regional security issues, including North Korea's nuclear program, as well as ways to promote economic cooperation between the two countries. Some suggest that the APEC summit may also include discussions on Prime Minister Takaichi's proposal to nominate U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Xi Jinping's First Visit to South Korea in 11 Years...Will a 'New Era' Open for China-South Korea Relations?

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to make a state visit to South Korea on November 1, where he will hold a summit with President Lee Jae-myung. This is the first visit by a Chinese president in 11 years, raising expectations that it will be an important opportunity to open a new chapter in China-South Korea relations. The two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation in various fields, including economy, security, and culture, during the summit. In particular, amid escalating tensions between the United States and China, South Korea is expected to explore ways to maximize its national interests while maintaining a balance in its relations with both countries. President Lee Jae-myung has previously stated that he will cherish the South Korea-U.S. alliance while also managing relations with China. President Xi Jinping's visit is expected to be an important test of this diplomatic strategy of the South Korean government. Some expect that this China-South Korea summit will further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. In particular, with the U.S. and South Korea continuing negotiations on raising and implementing a large-scale investment fund of approximately 500 trillion won in the United States, strengthened economic cooperation with China could contribute to diversifying the South Korean economy. However, U.S. checks and balances are also expected to be significant, requiring cautious diplomatic judgment from the South Korean government.

What Changes Will the APEC Summit Bring to the Northeast Asian Diplomatic Landscape?

The upcoming APEC summit is expected to bring significant changes to the diplomatic landscape of Northeast Asia. In particular, with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea and the summit between President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi scheduled in succession, expectations are rising for the possibility of improving relations among China, Japan, and South Korea. This APEC summit is expected to go beyond mere economic cooperation to include active discussions on security issues in Northeast Asia. With factors threatening regional security, such as North Korea's nuclear program and missile provocations, it remains to be seen whether the leaders of the relevant countries can put their heads together to find solutions. In addition, Prime Minister Takaichi's proposal to nominate U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize may also be discussed at this APEC summit. If this issue is discussed, it could contribute to fostering international cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. However, with the U.S.-China conflict still ongoing, it is uncertain whether the APEC summit will achieve tangible results. The South Korean government should take these circumstances into account and establish a diplomatic strategy that leaves all possibilities open.

Lee Jae-myung-Trump, Second South Korea-U.S. Summit...Will the '500 Trillion Won Investment Fund' Come to Fruition?

A second South Korea-U.S. summit between President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to be held. The summit is expected to involve in-depth discussions on regional security issues, including North Korea's nuclear program, as well as ways to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. In particular, with the U.S. and South Korea continuing negotiations on raising and implementing a large-scale investment fund of approximately 500 trillion won in the United States, attention is focused on whether a concrete agreement can be reached at this summit. This fund is expected to have a positive impact on the economies of both countries by expanding South Korean companies' investment in the U.S., but final agreement is expected to be difficult due to remaining differences on detailed conditions and investment areas. In addition, amid increasing protectionist movements in the United States, concerns are also being raised about the investment environment for South Korean companies in the U.S. At this summit, President Lee Jae-myung is expected to address these concerns and request U.S. cooperation for the smooth investment of South Korean companies in the U.S. Meanwhile, cooperation between the two countries on the North Korean nuclear issue is also expected to be an important agenda item. The United States is putting pressure on North Korea to denuclearize through stronger sanctions, but South Korea is aiming to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, making it a challenge to narrow the differences between the two countries.

South Korea on the Test Stand for Balanced Diplomacy...Will It Succeed in 'Walking the Tightrope' Between the U.S. and China?

President Lee Jae-myung has repeatedly stated that he will cherish the South Korea-U.S. alliance while also managing relations with China. However, as the conflict between the U.S. and China intensifies, South Korea's diplomatic position is narrowing, and there are assessments that it is on the test stand for balanced diplomacy. In particular, the United States is demanding that South Korea stop cooperating with China in high-tech fields such as semiconductors, but China is South Korea's largest trading partner and has close economic ties, putting the South Korean government in a dilemma. In this situation, South Korea must establish a diplomatic strategy that maximizes its national interests between the U.S. and China, and, in the long term, focus on reducing its economic dependence on foreign countries and securing its own growth engines. It is also important to strengthen relations with neighboring countries and expand its diplomatic position through multilateral cooperation. Considering its geopolitical location and economic size, South Korea has the potential to play a pivotal role in Northeast Asia. However, depending on what kind of diplomatic strategy South Korea pursues amidst the realistic constraints of the U.S.-China conflict, the situation in Northeast Asia could change significantly.