ECONOMY · 2026-11-15
Cho Hyun and Wang Yi Discuss Korean Peninsula Issues; Both Sides Agree to Manage West Sea Tensions in Bilateral Ties
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun urged Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to help bring North Korea back to the dialogue table and play a constructive role in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The two sides also agreed to expand economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between South Korea and China, while making sure that issues such as the West Sea do not hinder the development of bilateral relations.
The South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers met in Beijing to discuss developments on the Korean Peninsula and pending issues between the two countries. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun asked China to play a constructive role in matters involving the Korean Peninsula, including encouraging North Korea to return to dialogue, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China would continue to do its part for peace and stability on the peninsula. The talks also covered the West Sea issue and economic cooperation.
Peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and China’s role
According to the foreign ministry, Cho and Wang held talks and attended a dinner in Beijing for about three hours on the afternoon of the 13th. Cho stressed that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are in the shared interest of both South Korea and China, and explained the South Korean government’s efforts toward denuclearization and peace on the peninsula. Wang said China’s policy toward the Korean Peninsula has not changed and that it would continue to play a constructive role for peace and stability.
The possibility of U.S.-North Korea talks was also tied to the agenda. Before departing for China, Cho said he planned to discuss South Korea-China relations, North Korea issues, and the possibility of U.S.-North Korea talks in a broad manner. At the same time, he also suggested that it remains unclear how actively China will actually mediate any U.S.-North Korea dialogue. The results of the meeting released by the foreign ministry did not include any specific agreement regarding U.S.-North Korea talks.
Economic cooperation and West Sea issues
The two sides also agreed to advance negotiations in the services and investment sectors under the South Korea-China free trade agreement (FTA) to strengthen the foundation for economic cooperation, and to broaden exchanges and goodwill between the peoples of the two countries. The services and investment negotiations refer to discussions aimed at expanding cooperation beyond trade in goods to include services and investment conditions.
The West Sea issue was also discussed. Cho conveyed South Korea’s principled position and asked China to protect the safety and rights of South Korean nationals in China. The foreign ministry said the two ministers agreed to carefully manage related matters so they do not become obstacles to the development of the bilateral relationship. In the West Sea, there is a provisional measures zone where the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the two countries overlap, and according to the article, China has installed two structures there. No specific solution to the issue was announced at this meeting.
This meeting showed both countries’ approach of asking China to play a role on Korean Peninsula issues while also managing the West Sea situation and maintaining economic and people-to-people exchanges. What China will actually do regarding U.S.-North Korea talks or the West Sea remains to be seen. What was confirmed in the talks was that both sides discussed the issues and agreed to manage them so they do not lead to broader deterioration in bilateral relations.
Source: Kyunghyang Shinmun report and Foreign Ministry statement
Peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and China’s role
According to the foreign ministry, Cho and Wang held talks and attended a dinner in Beijing for about three hours on the afternoon of the 13th. Cho stressed that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are in the shared interest of both South Korea and China, and explained the South Korean government’s efforts toward denuclearization and peace on the peninsula. Wang said China’s policy toward the Korean Peninsula has not changed and that it would continue to play a constructive role for peace and stability.
The possibility of U.S.-North Korea talks was also tied to the agenda. Before departing for China, Cho said he planned to discuss South Korea-China relations, North Korea issues, and the possibility of U.S.-North Korea talks in a broad manner. At the same time, he also suggested that it remains unclear how actively China will actually mediate any U.S.-North Korea dialogue. The results of the meeting released by the foreign ministry did not include any specific agreement regarding U.S.-North Korea talks.
Economic cooperation and West Sea issues
The two sides also agreed to advance negotiations in the services and investment sectors under the South Korea-China free trade agreement (FTA) to strengthen the foundation for economic cooperation, and to broaden exchanges and goodwill between the peoples of the two countries. The services and investment negotiations refer to discussions aimed at expanding cooperation beyond trade in goods to include services and investment conditions.
The West Sea issue was also discussed. Cho conveyed South Korea’s principled position and asked China to protect the safety and rights of South Korean nationals in China. The foreign ministry said the two ministers agreed to carefully manage related matters so they do not become obstacles to the development of the bilateral relationship. In the West Sea, there is a provisional measures zone where the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the two countries overlap, and according to the article, China has installed two structures there. No specific solution to the issue was announced at this meeting.
This meeting showed both countries’ approach of asking China to play a role on Korean Peninsula issues while also managing the West Sea situation and maintaining economic and people-to-people exchanges. What China will actually do regarding U.S.-North Korea talks or the West Sea remains to be seen. What was confirmed in the talks was that both sides discussed the issues and agreed to manage them so they do not lead to broader deterioration in bilateral relations.
Source: Kyunghyang Shinmun report and Foreign Ministry statement
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