Summit Highlights Joint Call for Korean Peninsula Peace The 90‑minute Beijing summit on 5 January brought South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping together to stress that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula serve both nations’ interests and that China will play a constructive role in any future process [1][2]. Both leaders framed the meeting as a platform to explore “creative” measures for resuming dialogue with North Korea, moving beyond confrontation toward regional stability. Their statements underscored a shared diplomatic priority despite recent regional tensions.

Agreed Mechanisms Include Annual Talks and Defense Exchanges Lee and Xi committed to hold annual high‑level meetings and to expand communication among defense authorities, establishing a structured channel for mutual trust [1][2]. The summit also produced 14 memorandums of understanding covering trade, technology, and the environment, alongside plans for vice‑ministerial talks on Yellow Sea issues and broader cultural exchanges such as Go, soccer, and media collaborations [1]. These initiatives aim to institutionalize cooperation beyond the summit’s immediate agenda.

Context Shows Mixed Receptivity From Pyongyang Since taking office in June 2025, Lee has repeatedly reached out to North Korea, yet Pyongyang has remained largely unresponsive to overtures [2]. The second Yonhap report notes that North Korea launched ballistic missiles hours before Lee’s arrival, a provocative backdrop not mentioned in the first article [2]. This discrepancy highlights divergent reporting on the immediate security environment surrounding the summit.