South Korea Seeks Closer Ties with China Ahead of Xi Visit

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Photo:AP

South Korea is moving to strengthen its relationship with China as its foreign minister, Cho Hyun, plans to visit Beijing this Wednesday and Thursday. This visit comes just weeks before China’s President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ summit in Seoul, scheduled for October 31 and November 1.

Cho Hyun is set to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss preparations for President Xi’s potential visit and other matters that will help improve cooperation between the two nations. While China confirmed the South Korean minister’s visit, the details of the meetings have not been made public yet.

If confirmed, President Xi’s trip to South Korea would mark his first visit since 2014, highlighting a significant moment in China-South Korea relations.

A Fresh Start Under South Korea’s New President

The election of Lee Jae-myung as South Korea’s president in June has created an opportunity for Seoul and Beijing to strengthen their ties. Relations had been tense under former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who had aligned South Korea more closely with Washington.

An important step in this diplomatic effort is filling the long-vacant position of South Korea’s ambassador to China. The post has been empty since January. Reports indicate that Roh Jae-heon, son of former South Korean president Roh Tae-woo, is expected to take up the role.

Roh Jae-heon has a long history of working on cultural and diplomatic exchanges between South Korea and China. He founded the Korea-China Culture Centre in 2012, which later became the East Asia Culture Centre. He has also advised Chinese cities and chaired sociocultural committees that focus on Korea-China relations.

Carrying Forward a Legacy

The appointment of Roh Jae-heon is seen as symbolic. His father, Roh Tae-woo, is remembered for “Northward Diplomacy,” which focused on establishing ties with communist countries, including China and the Soviet Union. Under his leadership, South Korea normalized relations with China in 1992 and improved ties with North Korea.

By choosing Roh Jae-heon, President Lee may be signaling a desire to revive that spirit of cooperation while balancing South Korea’s relationship with both the United States and China. Analysts suggest that Roh’s extensive experience in cultural diplomacy will help foster people-to-people connections, which could strengthen long-term relations between the two countries.

Balancing Relations Amid US-China Tensions

South Korea is carefully navigating its relationships with both Washington and Beijing. President Lee has stressed the importance of a pragmatic approach to diplomacy, especially as competition between the United States and China intensifies. There is a possibility that both President Lee and former US President Trump could meet President Xi later this year.

By appointing a non-political figure like Roh Jae-heon as ambassador, Seoul avoids sending strong political signals that could upset the United States. At the same time, it positions South Korea to engage with China in a meaningful way, focusing on cultural and social exchanges as a foundation for diplomatic ties.

Recent Diplomatic Engagements

Last month, Roh Jae-heon was part of a special delegation to Beijing, sent by President Lee to help rebuild and strengthen South Korea-China relations. Additionally, China’s ambassador to South Korea visited the grave of former President Roh Tae-woo in Paju, with Roh’s son accompanying him, showing mutual respect and highlighting the ongoing cultural and diplomatic links between the nations.

Roh Jae-heon has promised to continue his father’s legacy, actively promoting the development of bilateral relations and increasing cooperation between the two countries. His appointment is expected to play a key role in the success of President Xi’s upcoming visit and in building a long-term framework for stronger ties.

Why This Matters

The visit of South Korea’s foreign minister and the potential appointment of a new ambassador highlight Seoul’s strategic efforts to balance its diplomacy between China and the US. As President Xi prepares for his first visit to South Korea in over a decade, this period marks a critical opportunity to reset and strengthen ties in trade, politics, and culture.

Experts believe that using cultural diplomacy, as Roh Jae-heon has long practiced, may help South Korea develop a stable and friendly relationship with China while maintaining good ties with the United States. This balanced approach could prove important as global politics continue to shift in the Asia-Pacific region.

South Korea, China, Xi Jinping, diplomatic ties