Lee Requests Chinese Mediation After Inter‑Korean Channels Collapse President Lee Jae Myung told reporters in Shanghai that he personally asked President Xi Jinping to act as a mediator on all Korean‑Peninsula issues, explicitly including North Korea’s nuclear program, after a summit in Beijing [1][2][3][4]. He emphasized that communication channels with the North are “completely blocked” and that “zero trust” remains between the two Koreas, framing the mediation request as essential to revive dialogue [2][3][4]. Lee raised the appeal during a luncheon with journalists, linking it directly to his state visit’s highest‑level talks [2][3][4].

Xi Responds With Cautious Commitment to Mediation Xi Jinping replied that China would “work to act as a mediator” and urged Seoul to exercise patience, reflecting Beijing’s preference for a measured, incremental approach [1][2][3][4]. The Chinese leader’s stance underscores Beijing’s unique leverage as North Korea’s largest trading partner and principal diplomatic backer [1]. Lee interpreted Xi’s patience call as consistent with a step‑by‑step diplomacy that could pressure Pyongyang without provoking further escalation [2][3].

Seoul Proposes Phased Denuclearization While China Resists Sanctions Lee outlined a phased plan: first freeze North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities, then exchange incremental denuclearization steps for reciprocal benefits [1]. He argued that a single sweeping deal is unattainable, seeking to reduce proliferation risk through gradual incentives [1]. Meanwhile, China continues to resist tougher U.N. sanctions on the North, a stance that analysts warn could allow Pyongyang to gain relief while retaining much of its arsenal [1].

Bilateral Frictions Extend Beyond Nuclear Issues During the Shanghai press briefing, Lee also raised China’s informal ban on Korean cultural content, noting Xi described the situation as a “large lump of ice that melts gradually” [2]. He highlighted disputes over Chinese structures that slightly intrude into overlapping Yellow Sea waters and said both sides agreed to working‑level talks to delineate a median line [2]. These discussions illustrate Seoul’s broader effort to manage China‑Korea tensions while seeking mediation on the nuclear front [2].