SEOUL (Jan 7): South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that much progress had been made in restoring trust with Beijing, and that he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to play a role in mediating Seoul's efforts to engage North Korea. Lee, who held talks with Xi this week, said the Chinese leader had noted that patience was needed when they discussed nuclear-armed North Korea. Lee was speaking to South Korean media in Shanghai with his remarks relayed live on television. "President Xi acknowledged our efforts so far and said patience is needed," Lee said. Lee said South Korea considered its ties with Japan as important as its relations with China.

Source: The Edge Markets January 07, 2026 06:42 UTC