No China Meeting Before Trump: South Korea’s Diplomatic Stance Explained

Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun ruled out the possibility of President Lee Jae Myung meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping before his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, drawing a clear line amid speculation over Lee’s debut standalone summit.

Cho dismissed growing concerns that Lee might visit China first to attend Beijing’s September 3 commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end, even as the date for Lee’s summit with Trump remains uncertain.

During his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on Thursday, Cho responded unequivocally, “That is not going to happen,” when asked if attending China’s “Victory Day” event before the South Korea-U.S. summit could send a confusing signal about the alliance.

He refrained from providing a definitive answer when questioned about Lee’s potential attendance at China’s September 3 celebrations.

However, in his opening remarks, Cho stated, “We aim to resume exchanges between the leaders of both countries at the APEC Summit, scheduled in Gyeongju from late October to early November.”

Regarding trade negotiations with the U.S., Cho expressed optimism about reaching a deal by President Trump’s August 1 deadline for imposing 25 percent “reciprocal tariffs” on South Korea, affirming, “Yes, it appears to be possible.”

When asked about Seoul’s strategy in negotiations with Trump, Cho replied, “Rather than focusing on gaining an advantage over the U.S., I prefer to approach this in terms of how we, as allies, can collaborate to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.”

Firm stance on China’s West Sea structures
Concerning South Korea’s relations with China, Cho asserted that the Lee administration would “respond firmly and decisively at the pan-government level to matters involving our sovereignty, including those in the West Sea, while enhancing strategic communication with China on security issues pertaining to the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding region.”

Concerns have escalated over China’s intention to unilaterally install structures within the Provisional Measures Zone – a jointly managed area agreed upon by both countries in the West Sea – from 2018 to 2024.

The PMZ was established under the Korea-China Fisheries Agreement signed in 2000, as the two countries have overlapping Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) without a clearly delineated maritime boundary.

When asked if China’s unilateral installation of structures violates the agreement, Cho responded, “It clearly contravenes the spirit of the agreement.”

“Regarding such actions by China, we will lodge a strong protest and implement appropriate countermeasures, while developing a range of firm response options,” Cho stated.

When questioned about South Korea considering a proportional response – such as installing its own structures – if China continues to refuse dismantling those in the PMZ, Cho replied, “We should conduct a comprehensive review that includes such options.”

Paving the way for inter-Korean dialogue
On North Korean issues, Cho said the Lee administration would strive to make substantial progress on peace on the Korean Peninsula and resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

“Our primary focus will be on easing inter-Korean tensions and paving the way for renewed dialogue with North Korea, in close coordination with the U.S.,” he added.

To this end, Cho expressed openness to scaling down the regularly staged large-scale outdoor combined military exercises between South Korea and the U.S.

“The Korea-U.S. combined military exercises have long played a crucial role in maintaining our deterrence posture,” Cho noted, referencing the suspension of large-scale field training exercises from 2018 to 2022.

“However, as we witnessed in 2018, I believe that, based on the alliance and mutual agreement between our two nations, some adjustments can be made if necessary,” he added.

When asked whether he defines North Korea as an “enemy,” Cho responded, “North Korea represents an urgent and existential threat that could become an enemy, but simultaneously, it is a counterpart with whom we must engage in dialogue to build peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

“I believe this duality defines its nature,” Cho clarified.

However, Cho further explained that he could not agree with Unification Minister nominee Chung Dong-young’s assertion that the conservative Lee Myung-bak administration’s hardline North Korea policy bears partial responsibility for North Korea’s sinking of the ROKS Cheonan and shelling of Yeonpyeongdo in 2010. Both incidents resulted in South Korean casualties and loss of life.

“While such arguments were being made, I personally did not agree with that approach,” Cho stated, referring to his role in reviewing the option of bringing the issue to the UN Security Council as deputy minister for multilateral and global affairs at the Foreign Ministry at the time.