Having just managed a visit from U.S. President Trump, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had to immediately pivot to host Chinese President Xi Jinping, a diplomatic marathon that perfectly illustrates the geopolitical tightrope Seoul must walk. The summit with Xi was fraught with tension, as Lee balanced U.S. alliance issues, domestic protests, and a hostile North Korea.
The transition from Trump to Xi meant a direct shift from one side of the great-power rivalry to the other. This forced Lee to raise sensitive U.S.-linked topics, including the 2017 THAAD missile system dispute. He was simultaneously asking for economic favors from Xi while discussing a U.S. military installment that China despises.
This external tightrope act was mirrored by a domestic one. As Lee and Xi held their formal talks, hundreds of protesters rallied outside, chanting against Chinese influence. This public anger is a constant source of pressure for Lee, who has been criticized for trying to suppress it in favor of stable relations with Beijing.
Lee’s own attempt to seize the diplomatic initiative—by asking Xi to help restart talks with North Korea—also failed. The move was publicly rejected by Pyongyang in a statement that called the effort a “pipe dream.” The rejection was a sharp reminder of the limits of Lee’s influence.
While Lee teetered on the tightrope, China focused on the safety net below. Chinese state media celebrated the signing of seven new economic agreements, including a currency swap. President Xi’s call for “mutual respect” was a signal to Seoul to keep its balance, because the economic relationship is too valuable to drop.