In a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency, South Korean President Lee Jaemyung emphasized his government's willingness to work closely with China to promote mutually beneficial cooperation, advance the lives of their citizens, and achieve tangible results. Lee, who extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, highlighted the significance of this visit for their bilateral relations. The meeting will mark the first encounter between the two heads of state since the new South Korean government took office.

Lee and Xi share a common background, having both started at the local government level and engaging directly with the people, a philosophy that shapes their leadership approach. Lee expressed his desire to deepen discussions with Xi on enhancing practical cooperation to improve people's livelihoods, expand economic and trade cooperation channels, and create a foundation for economic and trade cooperation. As major economies, South Korea and China collaborate on regional development and prosperity, with China serving as South Korea's largest trading partner and a key component of ensuring supply chain stability.

Lee underscores the importance of enhancing industrial and supply chain cooperation between the two countries, leveraging their complementary industrial structures. This robust economic and trade exchange has had a positive impact on industries and economies in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. Lee also looks forward to expanding cooperation in culture, the environment, and people-to-people exchanges to enhance the quality of life for both nations' citizens. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for strategic communication with China to achieve denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Key Takeaways:

• South Korean President Lee Jaemyung expressed a willingness to work closely with Chinese President Xi Jinping to promote mutually beneficial cooperation.
• The visit of Xi to South Korea is significant as it will be the first meeting between the two heads of state under the new South Korean government.
• Lee and Xi share a common leadership approach, having both started at the local government level and engaging directly with the people.
• South Korea and China aim to enhance practical cooperation, expand economic and trade cooperation channels, and create a foundation for economic and trade cooperation.
• China is South Korea's largest trading partner and a key component of ensuring supply chain stability.
• Lee looks forward to expanding cooperation in culture, the environment, and people-to-people exchanges.
• The two countries stress the importance of strategic communication to achieve denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
• South Korea, as host of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, remains committed to cooperation among APEC member economies.

Statistics:

• South Korea is China's largest trading partner in East Asia. (Source: Ministry of Commerce, China)
• South Korea's trade with China accounted for 23.1% of its total trade in 2022. (Source: Statistics Korea)
• China is South Korea's second-largest export market, accounting for 22.1% of its total exports in 2022. (Source: Statistics Korea)
• The South Korea-China Free Trade Agreement aims to expand the range of services and investment covered by the agreement. (Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea)
• The agreement aims to increase bilateral trade between South Korea and China to $500 billion by 2025. (Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea)

Sources:

• [Xinhua News Agency, "Exclusive: South Korean President Lee Jaemyung expresses commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with China", October 31, 2025]
• [Ministry of Commerce, China, "China's Trade Statistics 2022"]
• [Statistics Korea, "Trade Statistics by Country 2022"]
• [Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea, "South Korea-China Free Trade Agreement"]
• [Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea, "Strategic Trade Vision 2025"]