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South Korea's Lee says he asked Xi to play a mediating role on North Korea

Lee Jae Myung requested China's mediation to restart North Korea dialogue and freeze its nuclear program, with Beijing emphasizing patience amid stalled talks, Lee said.

  • On Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to mediate Seoul's efforts to engage North Korea during his state visit and spoke to media in Shanghai.
  • With diplomacy stalled, officials pointed out Seoul says all channels with Pyongyang are 'completely blocked' and there is 'zero trust'; North Korea has refused talks and expanded its arsenal since 2019.
  • In Shanghai, Lee outlined a freeze and benefits package, saying Pyongyang should halt new nuclear weapons, transfers abroad, and ICBM development in exchange for compensation and phased denuclearization steps.
  • China signalled it would act while urging patience, with President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang telling South Korean President Lee Jae Myung patience is needed and China would make efforts to support mediation.
  • Beyond immediate talks, Lee Jae Myung stressed a long-term nuclear-free Korean Peninsula goal during the first state visit in six years, aiming to restore trust with China.
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Lean Left

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung asked his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to mediate with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who had announced that he was preparing his nuclear forces for a "real war".

·Paris, France
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Center

Following the discussions this week, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said he asked Chinese approval Xi Jinping to help limit the Phoenician nuclear programme, Deutsche Welle writes.

·Romania
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Associated Press NewsAssociated Press News
+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
Lean Left

South Korean leader says he asked China's Xi to act as mediator on North Korea issues

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to serve as a mediator to help resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis and ease animosities between the two Koreas.

·United States
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Bloomberg broke the news in United States on Monday, January 5, 2026.
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