File photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (AP)
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday said he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to play a mediating role in resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis and easing tensions between the two Koreas, as Seoul struggles to reopen stalled channels with Pyongyang.Speaking to reporters during the Shanghai leg of his visit to China, Lee said he made the request during his summit with Xi in Beijing on Monday, as per news agency AP.
He said all communication channels with North Korea remain blocked, making dialogue difficult.“We’re making efforts but all our channels (with North Korea) are completely blocked so we can’t communicate at all. I told him it would be good for China to play the role of a mediator for peace,” Lee said in televised comments, according to news agency AP. He added that Xi responded by stressing the need for patience on North Korean issues.China is North Korea’s biggest trading partner and key diplomatic supporter, and South Korea and the US have repeatedly urged Beijing to use its influence to bring Pyongyang back to talks, reported AP. China, however, has called for restraint and has blocked tougher UN sanctions in recent years despite North Korea’s weapons tests. As per AFP, Lee said he urged China to help curb Pyongyang’s nuclear programme and suggested that freezing further development of nuclear weapons and missiles could be a feasible first step under the right conditions.“We hope China can serve as a mediator — a mediator for peace,” Lee said, adding that Xi had again urged patience given the severely frayed inter-Korean ties.Lee said Chinese Premier Li Qiang echoed the same message during a separate meeting on Tuesday, reported AP. He also said China shared his view that freezing North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes was important to prevent further expansion of its arsenal.“Leaving the current status would be a loss for Northeast Asia and the entire world,” Lee said, noting that North Korea’s nuclear weapons are being produced continuously.North Korea has refused to resume dialogue with South Korea or the US and has declared it will not put denuclearisation back on the negotiating table.Experts, however, warn that offering incentives for limited steps could allow Pyongyang to retain much of its nuclear programme, according to AP.
