South Korean President Lee Jae-myung conducted a significant state visit to China from Sunday, January 4, to January 7, 2026, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. This marked Lee's first visit to China since taking office in June 2025, following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol in December 2024, signifying a deliberate effort by Seoul to recalibrate its relationship with Beijing [4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17]. The visit commenced amidst heightened geopolitical tensions between China and Japan, particularly concerning Taiwan and Japan's assertive stance on potential military involvement in the event of a Chinese action against the self-governed island [6, 9, 11, 19, 20, 22]. During the four-day trip, President Lee and President Xi engaged in in-depth discussions focusing on strengthening economic cooperation, stabilizing supply chains, and addressing regional security concerns, including efforts to de-escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula [6, 8, 10, 15, 16, 18]. Lee Jae-myung also affirmed South Korea's commitment to the 'One-China' policy, a stance aimed at managing sensitive diplomatic issues in the region [6, 8, 11]. Following his visit to China, President Lee proceeded to Japan for a summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a move seen as Seoul's strategy to maintain a balanced diplomatic approach between its two powerful neighbors and mediate regional disputes [9, 19, 20, 22]. The diplomatic engagements underline South Korea's efforts to navigate complex regional dynamics while pursuing its national interests in a rapidly evolving East Asian landscape [5, 8, 12].