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| ▲ President Lee Jae Myung (C) speaks during a luncheon with reporters at a hotel in Shanghai on Jan. 7, 2026. (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) Lee-press conference
(LEAD) Lee says he asked China's Xi to play mediator role on Korean Peninsula
(ATTN: UPDATES with quotes, details)
SHANGHAI, Jan. 7 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to play the role of a mediator on the Korean Peninsula, including on the issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons.
Lee made the remark in Shanghai after holding a summit with Xi in Beijing on Monday as part of his ongoing state visit to the country.
"There's something I asked for from the Chinese side," he said during a luncheon with reporters accompanying him on the trip. "I would like (China) to play the role of a mediator on Korean Peninsula issues, including on the North Korean nuclear issue."
Lee said he explained that all channels between the two Koreas have been blocked, with "zero trust" and only hostility remaining between the sides.
"President Xi noted the efforts until now and said patience is needed," he said, expressing his agreement with the idea. "For quite a long time, we've effectively taken military offensive action against North Korea. North Korea was likely extremely nervous. In order to have dialogue with a counterpart, we have to understand the position of the other side."
Lee said that in response to his request, the Chinese side said it would work to play a mediator's role.
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