President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the Korea-China MOU signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 5th. [Photo = Yonhap News]
President Lee Jae-myung departed for China on a 3-night, 4-day trip on the 4th with an economic delegation of about 200 people, including the heads of four major conglomerates, for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In a State Council meeting broadcast live nationwide on December 18th of last year, Lee Jae-myung hinted at a visit to China early in the year, stating, "There is a possibility of meeting with China again soon."

However, among the public, negative reactions dominated regarding Lee Jae-myung's visit to China, with comments such as "Is he going to say Happy New Year?" "An action that will upset President Trump," and "Are there presidents who visit other countries at the beginning of the year?"

China's 'Four Requirements and Four Answers' including 'One China' and opposition to the expansion of US Forces Korea's mission

In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) released on the 4th, prior to his visit to China, Lee Jae-myung stated, "I respect the 'One China' principle." This implies recognition and respect for China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, which could cause issues in the United States and Japan.

Furthermore, on the same day, Taiwan's United Daily News reported, citing Taiwan's intelligence agencies, that China presented 'Four Requirements and Four Answers' to South Korea, including adherence to 'One China' and opposition to the expansion of US Forces Korea's mission, raising interest in how this issue was handled behind the scenes of the summit, which was made public to the press.

Second Day of China Visit: Korea-China Business Forum

On the 5th, prior to the summit with Xi Jinping, the Korea-China Business Forum was held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Lee Jae-myung attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech, stating, "A good neighbor is more valuable than ten thousand pieces of gold. Korean and Chinese companies are each other's neighbors, more valuable than ten thousand pieces of gold," presenting manufacturing and service/content industries as the two major pillars of cooperation.

Through this forum, four Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed in the consumer goods sector, including an agreement for South Korea's Shinsegae Group to develop and discover products, and China's 'Alibaba International' to export Korean products online through its platform.

In addition, a total of nine MOUs were signed between companies of the two countries, including three in the content sector and two in the supply chain sector.

President Lee Jae-myung greets Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong at the Korea-China Business Forum held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on the 5th. [Photo = Yonhap News]
Korea and China's Industrial Authorities to Establish Regular Ministerial Consultation Body

Immediately after the Korea-China summit, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao signed an MOU on the establishment of a 'Korea-China Commercial Cooperation Dialogue Channel' and an MOU on strengthening cooperation in Korea-China industrial complexes, in the presence of the leaders of the two countries.

Through the signing of these MOUs, both Korea and China have agreed to establish a regular ministerial consultation body, the 'Commercial Cooperation Dialogue,' and to hold meetings at least once a year through mutual visits.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated that, taking advantage of this summit, a Chinese investment investigation team led by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce is scheduled to visit Saemangeum within this year, and therefore, Chinese investment in Saemangeum is expected to accelerate.

However, what about the 'Western Sea Structures' and 'Hallyu Ban (Korean Wave Ban)'?

The opposition party, including the People Power Party, and the general public identified the 'Western Sea Structures,' referring to Chinese artificial structures (illegal maritime structures) installed in the Western Sea, as a key issue that should have been resolved through this summit. However, Lee Jae-myung concluded the discussion with efforts from both countries for management through working-level consultations and improvement of maritime order, without making direct demands such as the demolition of the structures.

The gist of the agreement was a principled accord to create a "sea of peace and prosperity" for the stable development of the Western Sea and to "continue constructive consultations" on the controversial structure issue. Considering the unresolved border situation in the Western Sea, the summit outcome regarding this matter was an agreement to work together to hold vice-ministerial level talks to demarcate the border starting this year.

Regarding the 'easing of the Hallyu Ban,' there has been no significant resolution either. In a briefing at the press center set up in Beijing after the summit, Presidential National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lak stated, "China still denies the existence of the Hallyu Ban. Today, the conversation was only to the effect that 'there is no need to discuss whether the Hallyu Ban exists or not,'" and added, "It is difficult to predict how [the discussion on easing the Hallyu Ban] will proceed in the future," showing a cautious stance.

'Ineffective, Empty-Handed Summit' and 'Subservient Diplomacy'

Regarding this Korea-China summit, the opposition party, including the People Power Party, pointed out that instead of receiving a concrete confirmation for the demolition of the Western Sea structures, the outcome was limited to abstract promises of political rhetoric such as 'constructive consultations' and 'holding vice-ministerial level talks.' They argued that despite China installing structures that infringe upon our sovereignty, our government failed to strongly push for their resolution and instead meekly retreated by accepting China's claim of 'private facilities.'

Choi Bo-yoon, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary, "No tangible progress was seen on key issues," and criticized, "There was no apology or promise of demolition for the illegal structures in the Western Sea, and the issue of the Hallyu Ban also remained at the level of repeating existing positions."

Reporter Park Hye-su