South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during his new year press conference at Yeongbingwan of Blue House on January 21, 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: VCG

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung told a New Year press conference on Wednesday that he was confident that new ways of shaping bilateral relations could generate mutually beneficial cooperation between South Korea and China, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

"There are various pending issues, and while there cannot be only positive aspects between nations, there are undoubtedly conflicting elements. However, I am also confident that these conflicting elements can be managed well," Lee said at the press conference, according to The Chosun Daily. 

"Through new frameworks in bilateral relations, I believe we can create cooperative measures that benefit both China and South Korea," Lee was quoted by The Chosun Daily as saying.

Regarding cooperation plans, Lee mentioned, "There will be economic cooperation, and cooperation in diplomatic and security fields is also important. Trust must continue to be strengthened," the report said.

According to the report, Lee said, "For example, I believe joint search and rescue training in the Yellow Sea, which is currently under discussion, should proceed. Since we cannot predict what might happen, I think cooperation and trust-building in military and security sectors have become possible." He added, "I also believe that cultural exchanges and people-to-people interactions through tourism have significantly expanded."

Lee also told the conference that the leaders' meeting between South Korea and China provides fresh impetus for improving bilateral ties, per Xinhua. Mentioning his state visit to China earlier this month, Lee said the Chinese side had extended warm hospitality, as witnessed by people from both countries.

Lee recently paid a state visit to China from January 4 to 7, his first visit to China since he took office.

Lee's remarks on China continue the positive tone he expressed during his state visit to China earlier this month, which has consistently shown a willingness to actively improve and develop bilateral relations, while maintaining a pragmatic attitude focused on cooperation, Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times, on Wednesday. 

During the visit to China, the South Korean president also visited the historic site of the "Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea" in Shanghai, marking the 100th anniversary of the site's establishment, Xinhua reported on January 7.

Lee on Tuesday emphasized at a Cabinet meeting the historical importance of the site of the "Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea" in Shanghai and urged relevant authorities to ensure its proper preservation and management with China, the Yonhap News Agency (YNA) reported.

He went on to point out that the management of the Provisional Government building is currently reliant on China's goodwill, stating, "This is a precious asset of ours, and it is problematic to depend solely on China." He also mentioned a plan for joint management involving collaboration between private enterprises and officials, per YNA.

Xiang said the move reflects Lee administration's political nature, which upholds principles on historical issues. It also demonstrates Lee's commitment to valuing the historical emotional bond between the two countries. 

During Lee's visit in China, he expressed his gratitude to China for restoring the historic site and preserving it over the past three decades. Since its opening in 1993, a year after the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the ROK, the site has welcomed millions of visitors and become an important bridge for bilateral exchanges, according to Xinhua.