"China appears to have strategically decided that it would be better to have (Lee) visit China before South Korea holds a summit with Japan again," he added. U.S. alliance and North KoreaStill, China and South Korea face complex issues as China challenges the U.S., South Korea's major ally in the region, and as nuclear-armed North Korea remains unpredictable. Currently, about 28,500 U.S. troops are based in South Korea to counter any threat from North Korea. Last month, South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao agreed to work towards stable rare earth supplies, the South Korean Industry Ministry said. The chief executive ⁠of SM Entertainment, a leading K-pop agency will join Mr. Lee's business delegation, according to local media.

Source: The Hindu January 02, 2026 04:24 UTC