Amid US-China Tensions, Yang Jiechi Plans Visit to Korea... Will It Be the First Face-to-Face Diplomacy?

Seohun, Director of the Blue House National Security Office, and Other Senior Korean Officials Expected to Meet
Discussion Anticipated on Inter-Korean Relations, Korean Peninsula Situation, and Xi Jinping's Visit to Korea

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As tensions between the United States and China continue to escalate, it has been reported that Yang Jiechi, a member of the Communist Party's Political Bureau responsible for China's diplomatic and security affairs, is considering a visit to South Korea. Until recently, Yang has engaged in strong rhetoric targeting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, accusing a "small number of American politicians" of worsening U.S.-China relations for their own interests.

According to diplomatic sources on the 13th, South Korean and Chinese diplomatic channels have been in talks to resume face-to-face diplomacy, including discussions on high-level visits to South Korea. Especially as Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated visit to South Korea in the first half of this year has been postponed due to the spread of COVID-19, Yang Jiechi's visit to South Korea is considered highly likely.

Regarding this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean Embassy in China have taken a cautious stance, stating, "There is nothing to confirm." If Yang visits, it would be significant as the first face-to-face diplomacy between South Korea and China since the COVID-19 pandemic. After the visit, discussions are expected with high-ranking South Korean officials such as Suh Hoon, Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House, including the rapidly frozen inter-Korean relations since June and matters related to President Xi's visit.

Yang's visit appears to reflect the Chinese government's intention to balance the United States by engaging South Korea. The U.S. has already begun face-to-face diplomacy with South Korea, conveying the U.S. government's stance on regional affairs. In July, Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, visited South Korea for a three-day trip, exchanging views on the Korean Peninsula situation, U.S.-China relations, and regional issues including South Korea-Japan relations with Vice Foreign Minister Cho Se-young and Lee Do-hoon, Director of the South Korea Peace Negotiation Headquarters. They also agreed to seek cooperation between South Korea's New Southern Policy and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy.

On the previous day, Kim Gun, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a virtual meeting with David Stilwell, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, discussing South Korea-U.S. relations as well as regional and international affairs. In particular, both sides agreed on expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in the new domain of space, following the adoption of the '2020 Revised Missile Guidelines,' which completely lifted restrictions on the use of solid fuel for space launch vehicles. They also agreed to continue discussions on enhancing regional cooperation between South Korea and the U.S., including cooperation between South Korea's New Southern Policy and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy, which was discussed during Biegun's visit.

Professor Hwang Jae-ho of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies explained, "Yang's visit can be interpreted as a reaffirmation of the South Korea-China relationship that the two countries have built over time."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.