Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Lee's summits in China, Japan a delicate exercise in 'managed stability'

President Lee Jae Myung has concluded a high-stakes diplomatic marathon, starting the new year with back-to-back summits in China and Japan.

2026-01-15

President Lee Jae Myung requests panda lease during China summit

Gwangju is drawing attention as a potential new home for a pair of giant pandas after President Lee Jae Myung asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to lease the animals during their recent summit.

2026-01-10

Animal rights group wants end to 'panda diplomacy' after Lee asks China to send more

A Korean animal rights group called on the government to end the practice of using wild animals for diplomacy and display, as President Lee Jae Myung reportedly raised the possibility of borrowing more pandas from China during.

2026-01-08

South Korea asked China to play ‘mediator’ role for North, will work to ease negative public sentiment, Lee says

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to improve public sentiment but maintained their positions on historic issues during their summit. Lee urged for cooperation against anti-China sentiment.

2026-01-07

Lee, Xi discuss lifting of Thaad-era restrictions, black bean noodles and panda loans in Korea-China summit

President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed a range of topics including the lifting of China's unofficial ban on Korean entertainment, the loaning of more pandas to Seoul.

2026-01-07

Lee-Xi summit good form, little function as Beijing appears to lean on Seoul

The Korea-China summit in Beijing on Monday had most of the hallmarks of a state visit, but the end result lacked heft, with statements from both sides expressing intent to resolve ongoing issues through further working-level talks.

2026-01-07

Lee calls to eliminate ‘misunderstandings,’ improve public sentiment between Korea, China

President Lee Jae Myung in Shanghai Tuesday urged Korea and China to make mutual efforts to overcome negative public sentiments by minimizing misunderstandings and developing "good neighborly” relations.

2026-01-07

CCP newspaper's prominent placement of Lee-Xi summit coverage signals warmer ties

The Chinese Communist Party’s official newspaper, the People’s Daily, prominently placed news of the summit between Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday directly beneath the masthead on its front page.

2026-01-06

Lee takes Xiaomi phone selfies with Xi, gifts painting of mythical beast at Korea-China state banquet

Korean President Lee Jae Myung was spotted taking a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping to indicate warming bilateral relations during their state banquet in Beijing on Monday.

2026-01-06

Lee signals ‘new phase’ in South Korea-China ties, Xi calls to stand on ‘right side’ of history

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the South Korean government to “stand on the right side of history" and "make the right strategic choice” in summit talks with President Lee Jae Myung in Beijing Monday.

2026-01-06