Yoon "Cooperation for Peace in Russia-North Korea Military Collaboration"... Xi Jinping "Upholding the Original Intent of Diplomatic Relations" (Comprehensive)

President Yoon Suk-yeol, attending the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, is speaking during the South Korea-China summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a hotel in Lima, Peru, on the 15th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

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On the 15th (local time), President Yoon Suk-yeol stated during a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Peru on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) that "South Korea and China must cooperate in response to Russia-North Korea military cooperation."

President Yoon began the summit with President Xi at around 11:06 a.m. local time in downtown Lima, Peru, and held the meeting for 29 minutes until 11:35 a.m. This summit marks the first meeting in two years since their last encounter at the G20 summit held in Indonesia in November 2022.

The two leaders attached significance to sitting face-to-face at the table after two years and agreed on the importance of maintaining close communication and cooperation between South Korea and China. They also shared the view to strengthen cooperation in a way that benefits the people of both countries through the development of South Korea-China relations.

President Yoon said, "I am pleased to hold this meeting today, one year after last year's APEC summit," adding, "When we met in Bali two years ago, we agreed to develop South Korea-China relations based on a shared belief in multilateralism and free trade, and had a fruitful dialogue on bilateral cooperation." He also emphasized the significance of the active exchanges held on various occasions, including the South Korea-China-Japan summit in May this year.

President Yoon said, "China is an important country with which we closely cooperate in various fields such as security, economy, culture, and human exchanges," and added, "I hope that the two countries will substantially develop the strategic cooperative partnership based on mutual respect, reciprocity, and common interests."

He continued, "Amid the upheaval in the global security and economic order, I hope South Korea and China will continue close communication and cooperation in facing various challenges," emphasizing, "In particular, I hope the two countries will cooperate to promote regional stability and peace in response to North Korea's repeated provocations, the war in Ukraine, and Russia-North Korea military cooperation."

President Yoon expressed hope to further strengthen economic cooperation, which has been the cornerstone of bilateral relations for over 30 years, to jointly improve the livelihoods of both countries. He said, "Peace and prosperity in the region, including the Korean Peninsula, are common interests of South Korea and China, and I look forward to in-depth discussions on cooperation measures for this purpose during today's summit."

President Yoon Suk-yeol, attending the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, is holding a South Korea-China summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a hotel in Lima, Peru, on the 15th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

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President Xi evaluated, "Over the past two years, the international and regional situation has changed significantly, and China-South Korea relations have generally maintained momentum for development."

He emphasized, "Regardless of how the situation changes, China and South Korea must adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, uphold the direction of friendly neighborliness, and maintain the goal of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, thereby fully leveraging the advantages of geographical proximity, cultural affinity, and economic integration."

Furthermore, he stated, "By deepening exchanges and cooperation and promoting the healthy and stable development of the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership, we should bring welfare to the peoples of both countries and contribute more to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity," adding, "To this end, we will work together to play an active role."

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