South Korean President Seeks China’s Help on North Korea’s Nuclear Issue

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help curb North Korea’s nuclear programme, suggesting that a freeze on weapons of mass destruction could be possible under the right conditions.

Lee made the remarks at the end of his visit to China, the first by a South Korean leader in six years. Seoul is seeking to reset ties with its largest trading partner and gain support in dealing with North Korea.

During his trip, Lee met Xi in Beijing on Monday, a day after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan. Speaking to reporters in Shanghai, Lee said he urged China to help bring Pyongyang back to negotiations.

“I asked China to play a mediating role on issues related to the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea’s nuclear programme,” Lee said, adding that communication channels with the North are currently blocked. He expressed hope that China could act as a mediator for peace.

According to Lee, President Xi responded by urging South Korea to show patience with North Korea, noting the strained relations between the two Koreas. Lee acknowledged that past military actions by South Korea may have been seen as threatening by Pyongyang.

China’s foreign ministry did not directly comment on Lee’s remarks but said maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is in the interest of all parties, adding that China will continue to play a constructive role in its own way.