Korea-China Joint Economic Committee Held: "Managing Stability of Resource Supply Chains"

by Lee Hanna

Published 21 Apr.2026 13:34(KST)

First Meeting in Over a Year Since December 2024

South Korea and China have agreed to prioritize the stabilization of supply chains for key resources such as critical minerals, rare earth elements, and urea, in response to the global supply chain crisis caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 21, Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jina held the 29th Korea-China Joint Economic Committee meeting with Yan Dong, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Commerce, in Beijing the previous day. This joint committee meeting was the first in over a year since it was last held in December 2024. Both sides reviewed the progress of negotiations on the Korea-China FTA service and investment agreements and agreed on the need to achieve outcomes that are tangible for businesses.

In particular, both parties agreed to maintain close communication through the economic joint committee and other consultative channels. It appears that opinions were also exchanged regarding high-level exchanges, including a possible visit to South Korea by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Recently, the postponement of Minister Wang's visit to South Korea has raised speculation in some circles about possible retaliation over the controversy regarding the labeling of "Taiwan" on the electronic entry declaration form. However, experts interpret the delay as being linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China and the ongoing war in Iran, rather than a specific issue. Joo Jaewoo, a professor in the Department of Chinese Language at Kyung Hee University, analyzed, "Rather than being due to a specific issue, it is a result of changes in the priorities of Chinese diplomacy and a strategic adjustment of pace to check trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan."

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "With the U.S.-China summit imminent and the situation in the Middle East making scheduling difficult, both sides are working to coordinate the date in accordance with their respective circumstances. Communication at the working level continues several times a day, and as there is considerable interagency exchange, the visit is being coordinated for a convenient time in the future."