South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to Visit China This Week

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will travel to China this week for discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. According to reports from South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, Cho’s visit to Beijing is scheduled for around September 14, 2023. This marks his first official trip to China since assuming the role of foreign minister in June.

During this visit, Cho is expected to address a number of significant topics, including the potential participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which will be hosted in South Korea. The discussions are poised to highlight the importance of regional cooperation and diplomatic engagement in light of ongoing tensions.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry has not yet provided further comments regarding the trip. The APEC summit is slated to take place from October 31 in Gyeongju, South Korea, where U.S. President Donald Trump is also expected to attend. Trump expressed a desire to meet with Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, during his visit to Asia. This invitation was extended by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung last month, who suggested that Trump explore the possibility of engaging with Kim while in the region.

Recently, President Xi was seen alongside Kim during a military parade and held a separate meeting with the North Korean leader, marking their first encounter in six years. Notably, the official readout from Beijing regarding these discussions avoided mentioning “denuclearisation” of the Korean Peninsula, a shift that analysts interpret as a significant concession to Kim.

South Korea has consistently called on China to assume a more constructive role in facilitating dialogue with North Korea regarding its nuclear programme. The outcome of Cho’s discussions in Beijing could play a crucial role in shaping future diplomatic efforts in the region, particularly concerning the ongoing challenges posed by North Korea’s activities.

Overall, this visit comes at a pivotal time for South Korea as it navigates complex geopolitical relationships and aims to foster stability in the Asia-Pacific region.