South Korean President Lee Jae-myung answers reporters' questions after announcing a joint factsheet detailing the outcome of the South Korea-US trade negotiations at a press conference at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea, on November 14, 2025. Photo: VCG

South Korea President Lee Jae-myung said on Friday that the South Korean government will steadfastly continue dialogue with China to advance bilateral relations, while announcing a joint factsheet detailing the outcome of the South Korea-US trade negotiations, according to the Chosun Daily.

Lee made such remarks at the end of his explanation of the details of the South Korea-US tariff negotiations during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office, the Chosun Daily reported. 

"What we need now is a pragmatic attitude," Lee said, adding that "the government will steadfastly continue dialogue with China to advance bilateral relations and pave the way for peace on the Korean Peninsula," according to the Chosun Daily report. 

Lee's announcement included the US approval of South Korea's construction of nuclear-powered submarines, which appears to have been made with consideration of potential concerns from China, the report said.

"As uncertainties in the international community deepen, it is also crucial to maintain stable relations with neighboring countries in the region," Lee was quoted by the Chosun Daily as saying, "In the international community, there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends. Only national interest is eternal."

The South Korean president further noted that through the recent APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, "the South Korea-China relationship, which had faced difficulties, has now found a turning point for improvement." He noted that during the meeting between leaders of the two countries, they agreed to continuously strengthen economic cooperation and exchanges, according to the report. 

"We agreed to address factors that hinder bilateral cooperation by gathering wisdom over time," Lee was quoted by the Chosun Daily as saying, "In the harsh international order, it is extremely unwise to reject others without grounds simply because their positions or thoughts differ from ours."

Global Times