South Korea is reaching out to China for support as former President Donald Trump pushes for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to a report from Bloomberg.com published Thursday.
Bloomberg.com reports that Seoul is seeking Beijing's assistance in managing the diplomatic situation. The move comes as Trump, who is not currently in office, continues to press for direct talks with Kim, a dynamic that has prompted South Korean officials to look toward China for leverage or mediation.
The report follows a series of related developments in the region. China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, has called on the United States to change its "hostile policy" toward North Korea, according to the South China Morning Post. Separately, The Straits Times reports that China is considering holding a summit with South Korea in November, a possibility confirmed by South Korea's foreign ministry. Chinese state media, including China Daily and CGTN, have also emphasized the importance of stable and healthy ties between Beijing and Seoul.
The flurry of diplomatic signals suggests that China is positioning itself as a key player in any renewed engagement between Washington and Pyongyang. For South Korea, maintaining a working relationship with Beijing appears increasingly important as Trump's push for a Kim meeting could sideline Seoul or create new tensions on the peninsula.
What to watch next: whether China confirms the November summit with South Korea and how Washington responds to Beijing's call for a policy shift on North Korea.
