SEOUL/BEIJING: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that he had urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to help curb North Korea’s nuclear programme and explore a potential freeze in exchange for “compensation,” during his visit to Beijing, the first by a South Korean leader in six years.
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The meetings came a day after Pyongyang fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, underscoring growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Speaking to journalists in Shanghai after concluding his visit, Lee said he appealed to Beijing to act as a mediator and bring Pyongyang back to the negotiating table.
“All our channels are completely blocked. We hope China can serve as a mediator — a mediator for peace,” Lee said. He also acknowledged China’s call for Seoul to show “patience” with Pyongyang, noting that prior South Korean military activities could have been perceived as threatening by the North.
Lee outlined a proposal whereby North Korea would freeze its nuclear programme — halting additional weapon production, preventing the transfer of nuclear materials abroad, and refraining from further development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) — in exchange for unspecified compensation.
He stressed that even a freeze at the current level would represent a strategic gain and reaffirmed the long-term goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
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Lee said Beijing had agreed to convey this message to Pyongyang and indicated there was consensus on these points with the Chinese leadership. The visit marks a significant step in Seoul’s efforts to reinvigorate dialogue on North Korea’s nuclear activities amid rising regional tensions.