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South Korea Launches Dual‑Track Diplomacy With China and Japan to Ease Regional Frictions

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Seoul Pushes High‑Level Talks With Beijing This Quarter South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced plans to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi one‑on‑one in the first quarter, aiming to address “key issues” such as the disputed steel platforms in the Yellow Sea and an unofficial ban on Korean pop‑culture content [1]. The initiative follows President Lee Jae Myung’s recent summit with President Xi, during which China hinted it might remove one of the three overlapping platforms [1]. Cho framed the talks as a chance to move from diplomatic rhetoric to concrete actions on maritime and cultural disputes [1].

Diplomacy Targets Maritime Disputes and Cultural Exchanges The foreign ministry said any dialogue would cover the full spectrum of bilateral concerns, from the Yellow Sea platform controversy to broader cultural‑exchange barriers [1]. Seoul’s strategy emphasizes that resolving these “sticking points” could unlock wider cooperation and reduce friction in the East [1]. By signaling readiness for direct engagement, the government hopes to translate high‑level talks into measurable progress on both security and soft‑power fronts [1].

President Lee Prioritizes Expanded Cooperation With Tokyo In a separate outreach, President Lee Jae Myung met former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, describing South Korea and Japan as “neighbors sharing a front yard” and urging the identification of as many cooperative sectors as possible [2]. The meeting, part of a shuttle‑diplomacy effort that also included talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Nara, stressed mutually beneficial relations across technology, trade, and security [2]. Lee’s agenda positions bilateral ties as a cornerstone of regional stability amid rising Beijing‑Tokyo tensions [2].

Regional Tensions Frame Seoul’s Dual‑Track Strategy Both diplomatic pushes occur against a backdrop of strained China‑Japan relations, prompting Seoul to balance its engagements with the two powers [1][2]. By addressing maritime disputes with Beijing while deepening economic and security cooperation with Tokyo, South Korea seeks to safeguard its strategic interests and prevent spillover effects [1][2]. The coordinated approach reflects a broader policy to use dialogue as a tool for managing competing regional dynamics [1][2].

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