South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung is engaged in a difficult diplomatic dance, and his latest summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping felt like one step forward and two steps back. While the two nations bolstered their economic ties, Seoul faced major setbacks on the security front and growing pressure at home.
The step forward was purely economic. The visit was crowned by the signing of seven new economic agreements, including a currency swap. This was a clear win for Lee, shoring up the pragmatic, trade-focused part of the relationship. Chinese state media, unsurprisingly, made this the central story of the visit.
The first step back was the vocal domestic opposition. As Lee hosted Xi, hundreds of protesters rallied in Seoul, illustrating public unease with the government’s perceived deference to Beijing. This internal division complicates Lee’s foreign policy and weakens his hand.
The second, and more significant, step back was the humiliating rejection from North Korea. A key goal for Lee was to persuade Xi to help restart dialogue with Pyongyang. The initiative was dead on arrival. North Korea publicly labeled the effort a “pipe dream,” slamming the door on Lee’s peace overture.
The entire event was overshadowed by the U.S.-China rivalry, especially after a recent visit by U.S. President Trump. Lee had to navigate discussions on the U.S.-deployed THAAD missile system, a major irritant for China. Xi’s call for “mutual respect” was a subtle reminder to Seoul to manage its U.S. alliance, leaving Lee trapped between his partners.