▲ Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, currently visiting China, shakes hands with Premier Li Qiang before their meeting at the Bangchuidao Hotel in Dalian, China, on June 23.
The prime ministers of South Korea and China have agreed to use the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for November in Shenzhen, China, as an opportunity for high-level exchanges between the two nations.
Attention is now focused on whether President Lee Jae-myung will visit China again on the occasion of the Shenzhen APEC summit.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed during their meeting in Dalian today (June 23) to utilize the Shenzhen APEC summit as a platform for high-level engagement, following the precedent set by last year's APEC summit in Gyeongju, where a South Korea-China summit was held.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Kim also requested China's role in resolving inter-Korean issues.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Kim stated, "It would be appreciated if China could play a positive role in creating conditions for inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. dialogues."
Kim reportedly reiterated his request, saying, "Recently, President Xi Jinping has visited North Korea and maintains a good relationship with the North; it would be helpful if the Chinese leadership, including President Xi, could play a role regarding issues on the Korean Peninsula."
The official noted that Premier Li expressed agreement with Prime Minister Kim's overall remarks, including the necessity of China's role.
Premier Li reportedly mentioned the need for trilateral cooperation among South Korea, China, and Japan, while pointing out that the foundation for such cooperation is being shaken by remarks from Japanese leaders.
In response, Prime Minister Kim explained that while South Korea also faces historical issues with Japan, the country is making efforts to develop relations from a future-oriented perspective, the official said.
Regarding industrial cooperation, Prime Minister Kim requested that China promptly dispatch an investment survey team to the Saemangeum Industrial Complex, where investment has been active recently.
During today's meeting, Premier Li urged Prime Minister Kim to strengthen cooperation in the field of innovation.
In particular, Li expressed hope for devising mutually beneficial cooperation plans to ensure a stable supply chain in the semiconductor sector, and Prime Minister Kim also expressed his agreement on the need for cooperation in high-tech industries.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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