South Korean FM Cho Hyun Plans China Visit for Talks with Wang Yi

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is set to visit China this week to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, marking his first trip to China since taking office in July. The discussions are expected to focus on Chinese President Xi Jinping's potential attendance at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, as well as reaffirming the shared goal of a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. Cho is likely to urge China to play a constructive role amid concerns that Beijing may be softening its stance on North Korea's nuclear program, especially following recent high-profile meetings between Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that notably omitted mention of denuclearization. Additional bilateral issues, such as Chinese steel structures in the overlapping maritime zone in the Yellow Sea, are also expected to be addressed. This visit comes amid South Korea's balancing act between strengthening its alliance with the U.S. and maintaining stable relations with China, which has cautioned South Korea against policies influenced by third countries. Overall, the talks aim to manage regional security concerns and reinforce cooperation despite ongoing geopolitical tensions involving North Korea and U.S.-China rivalry.