North Korea: Elephant in the Room when Xi Met Lee in Beijing

North Korea: elephant in the room when Xi met Lee in Beijing

The leaders of South Korea and China wrapped up a summit this week with both underlining support for one of Beijing's diplomatic priorities but making no tangible progress on North Korea, Seoul's main concern. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday for a high-stakes summit held just over nine weeks after their first meeting. During the trip, Lee declared 2026 as the year for the "full res…

Lee tests managed China diplomacy as Beijing keeps control over outcomes

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s recent summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping reveals a China policy built around managed ambiguity, a strategy that reduces short-term friction but entrenches asymmetric outcomes by allowing Beijing to control the pace, scope and visibility of any concessions. Lee met Xi on Jan. 5 during his first state visit […]