The South Korean President Lee Jae-myung visited Beijing in January 2026 for a diplomatic meeting, which exceeded standard diplomatic protocol. Lee chose China as his first international destination to send a precise message about South Korea’s foreign policy direction while the United States and China were engaging in an intensifying rivalry. The visit showed South Korea’s desire to build new diplomatic ties, but it revealed how strong Chinese control endangers the nation because it needs US backing for survival.

The timing of the visit was intentional. North Korea had recently undertaken another series of missile tests, Sino-Japanese relations were strained, and the United States was urging its allies to tighten technology-transfer restrictions on China. Lee entered Beijing with more than 200 South Korean business executives who brought executives from Samsung and SK Group and other leading conglomerates. The economic situation became clear when Seoul worked to maintain trade relations and investment and tourism activities with China while resolving the ongoing trade disputes, which started during the THAAD missile defence controversy.

During the meeting, Lee and President Xi Jinping discussed the prospect of establishing a more “permanent” and predictable relationship, one that would afford South Korea greater diplomatic flexibility. The symbolic approach fails to solve the fundamental problem which Seoul faces in its structure. China maintains its position as South Korea’s leading trading partner, although........

© Eurasia Review