South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing on Monday.
This meeting is important as it comes at a time when South Korea is seeking to mend its strained relations with China, which have cooled due to South Korea's strong ties with the United States.
According to Yonhap, the discussions will cover a wide range of topics, including bilateral relations, issues related to the Korean Peninsula, and broader regional and global challenges.
Cho's trip to Beijing marks a significant diplomatic effort by South Korea to strengthen relations with China.
Under President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration, South Korea has emphasized the importance of stable relations with China, which is not only its largest trading partner but also a key player in discussions about North Korea's nuclear program.
Since taking office earlier this year, Cho has pointed out the importance of these diplomatic ties.
The talks are also expected to address preparations for an upcoming trilateral summit with Japan, likely to be held in Seoul at the end of May. This summit aims to improve cooperation and stability in the region.
While in Beijing, Cho will meet with South Korean business leaders operating in China and will convene a meeting with South Korean consuls general to discuss municipal-level cooperation.
It is the first time a South Korean foreign minister has visited Beijing in over six years; the last was by then-Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha in November 2017 during the administration of former President Moon Jae-in.
The last bilateral meeting between the countries' top diplomats occurred in August 2022, when Wang Yi met with then South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin in Qingdao, Shandong Province.
