Ro Jae-hun, ambassador of South Korea to China Photo: Liu Xiaojing/GT

South Korean Ambassador to China Ro Jae-hun spoke highly of President Lee Jae-myung's recent state visit to China, noting that the embassy will take the president's visit as an opportunity to strive to translate the substantive development achievements of South Korea-China relations into people's livelihood benefits and realize peaceful coexistence between the two countries, per Yonhap News Agency (YNA).

Ro made the remarks during a regular press conference at the South Korean Embassy in Beijing on Monday, according to the report by YNA.

Ro stated that President Lee's trip to China was a resounding success, and even the word "success" is insufficient to describe the outcomes of this visit. The trip has laid a foundation for the two countries to jointly promote the full restoration of bilateral relations, safeguard peace and people's livelihoods, and is also conducive to enhancing the friendship between the two heads of state, per the report.

Ro also elaborated on the specific achievements of Lee's visit to China, and specifically mentioned that South Korea and China have reached a consensus on further deepening cooperation in the cultural and creative industries as well as in supply chains.

Lee arrived in Beijing for a state visit to China from January 4-7. It is Lee's first visit to China since he took office in June 2025, per the Xinhua News Agency.

Observer believes Lee's visit can be seen as recalibration of bilateral relations after years of accumulated uncertainty amid an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape. 

Regarding the visit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a press conference on January 7 that China stands ready to work with the ROK to deliver on the important common understandings between the two presidents, enhance communication and coordination, deepen cooperation in various fields, expand common interests, and achieve more tangible outcomes for the benefit of the two peoples.

The Global Times also noticed that as Ro speaks highly of Lee's China visit, the South Korean President is reportedly to visit Japan from Tuesday. When asked to comment on that, Mao said on January 9 that it is "a matter between the ROK and Japan, and I have no comment on that." The interactions between countries should be conducive to regional peace and stability, Mao said.

Global Times