South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help revive dialogue with North Korea during a state summit in Gyeongju on Saturday, following an Asia-Pacific leaders’ forum. The meeting marked Xi’s first visit to South Korea in 11 years.

Xi said China values its partnership with Seoul and is ready to expand cooperation to address shared challenges. Lee, elected in June, has sought to balance strong ties with the United States while improving relations with both China and North Korea. He said recent exchanges between Beijing and Pyongyang create “favourable conditions” for renewed engagement, urging closer communication with China to reopen talks with the North.

Lee has promoted a gradual approach to denuclearisation, beginning with dialogue and a freeze on weapons development. However, North Korea dismissed the plan as unrealistic, reiterating that it will not negotiate with the South. Pyongyang’s leader Kim Jong Un has indicated willingness to speak with Washington if U.S. denuclearisation demands are dropped.

During the summit, Lee and Xi signed seven cooperation agreements, including a won-yuan currency swap and memorandums on innovation, cybercrime, and aging populations. Xi also called for stronger collaboration in green industries, artificial intelligence, and biopharmaceuticals, while emphasizing mutual respect and consultation on differences.

China expressed support for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, though details of its role were not specified. The two sides also discussed U.S.-related sanctions on a South Korean shipbuilder and lingering cultural restrictions dating back to the 2017 THAAD missile defense dispute.

Meanwhile, anti-China protests erupted in Seoul, with demonstrators criticizing Beijing’s influence. Lee has recently condemned such rallies, saying they damage South Korea’s reputation and economic interests.