Seoul: South Korea’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday that Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will undertake a two-day visit to China from September 17 to 18, 2025, in a move seen as a critical step toward bolstering diplomatic dialogue between Seoul and Beijing. The visit comes just weeks before South Korea hosts the high-profile APEC Summit in Gyeongju on October 31, an event expected to bring together major world leaders including China’s President Xi Jinping.
During his trip, Minister Cho is scheduled to hold in-depth discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. According to Seoul’s announcement, the talks will focus on bilateral cooperation, coordination ahead of Xi Jinping’s anticipated state visit to South Korea in October, and pressing regional issues. Analysts suggest that both sides are eager to stabilize relations and ensure smooth collaboration before the multilateral summit.
The Gyeongju APEC gathering has already drawn significant attention, with South Korea extending invitations to global figures, including Xi Jinping and former U.S. President Donald Trump. For Seoul, the summit represents not only a chance to showcase its diplomatic leadership but also an opportunity to push forward dialogue on security and economic concerns across the Asia-Pacific.
One of South Korea’s main priorities remains the North Korean nuclear question. Seoul has long urged Beijing to play a more proactive role in bringing Pyongyang to the negotiating table. China, being North Korea’s closest ally and economic lifeline, wields considerable influence over the regime. The importance of Beijing’s involvement was underscored earlier this month when Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un met in Beijing for the first time in six years, signaling renewed warmth in their ties.
For South Korea, Cho’s visit represents a balancing act between fostering deeper economic ties with China and addressing regional security challenges, particularly the escalating nuclear threat from Pyongyang. For Beijing, the talks provide a chance to reaffirm its central role in shaping Northeast Asia’s diplomatic landscape while also engaging Seoul ahead of a major international forum on Korean soil.
The outcome of Cho’s meetings with Wang Yi will be closely watched as a potential barometer of the broader China–South Korea relationship. With both nations aware of the weight carried by Xi’s possible participation in the APEC summit, the visit could help pave the way for constructive exchanges in the weeks to come.