South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to Visit China This Week

The South Korean Foreign Minister, Cho Hyun, is scheduled to visit China this week for discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. According to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, Cho’s trip to Beijing is set for around Wednesday, September 20, 2023, and marks his first official visit to China since taking office in June.

Focus on APEC Summit and Regional Security

During this visit, Cho is expected to engage in talks regarding the potential attendance of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which will be hosted in South Korea. The summit is scheduled to take place in Gyeongju from October 31, 2023, and is anticipated to attract significant international attention.

The timing of Cho’s trip coincides with heightened diplomatic activities in the region. US President Donald Trump is also expected to attend the APEC summit. Last month, Trump expressed a desire to meet with Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, during his Asia trip. This invitation was extended by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who encouraged Trump to explore the possibility of a meeting with Kim while in the region.

Beijing’s Role in Regional Diplomacy

Further complicating the diplomatic landscape, President Xi recently participated in a military parade alongside Kim and held a separate meeting with him, marking their first face-to-face encounter in six years. Notably, a recent official readout from Beijing concerning the Xi-Kim discussions did not mention the term “denuclearisation” for the first time in years. Analysts interpret this omission as a significant concession to Kim, who has been under increasing pressure from the international community regarding North Korea’s nuclear program.

In light of these developments, South Korea has called on China to play a constructive role in facilitating dialogue with Pyongyang. The South Korean Foreign Ministry has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Cho’s upcoming visit, underscoring the sensitive nature of the discussions surrounding North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the outcomes of Cho’s meetings in Beijing could have lasting implications for regional security and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.