Eyes on Potential Xi Jinping Summit as President Yoon Heads to APEC

President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to depart on the 15th for a four-day, two-night schedule to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in San Francisco, USA, from the 15th to 17th (local time). This is President Yoon’s first participation in the APEC summit since taking office.

The biggest interest in President Yoon’s participation in the APEC summit is whether a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping will take place. If a South Korea-China summit is held, President Yoon will meet with President Xi for the second time since taking office. President Yoon had his first summit with President Xi on the occasion of attending the G20 summit held in Bali, Indonesia, last November.

“We are coordinating between South Korea and China, but no specific details have been decided yet,” said Lim Soo-seok, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a regular briefing on the 14th.

President Yoon will have a roundtable discussion with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Stanford University on the 17th on cooperation in advanced technology fields between South Korea and Japan and South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. The leaders of South Korea and Japan have held six summits this year and have been closely communicating.

Upon arriving in San Francisco on the 15th, President Yoon will first meet with Korean compatriots and then attend the APEC CEO Summit to give a keynote speech and an investment declaration ceremony. He will then participate in the APEC summit’s welcome reception and have a dialogue with the next generation of Koreans in advanced technology.

On the 16th, at the first session titled ‘Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,’ President Yoon is expected to emphasize South Korea’s contribution to the transition to clean energy, overcoming the climate crisis, and the solidarity among APEC member countries. On the same day, President Yoon will also participate in a dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and attend the APEC Summit Dinner.

President Yoon will also attend the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) summit on the same day to explore ways to diversify supply chains. The IPEF, a cooperative body to respond to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) led by China, was launched in May last year under the leadership of U.S. President Joe Biden. Fourteen countries, including the U.S., Japan, Australia, and Singapore, will participate in this IPEF summit.

On the 17th, President Yoon will participate in the ‘Retreat,’ where the heads of state attending the APEC summit freely exchange opinions without being bound by formality. He will discuss the role of South Korea and the need for APEC cooperation in restoring the multilateral trade system amid complex global crises, strengthening the connectedness of supply chains in the region, and establishing digital ethics norms.

“If North Korea successfully launches a military reconnaissance satellite, it will be a step up for ICBM… Enhanced countermeasures need to be devised”

President Yoon Suk Yeol presides over a cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 14th. ⓒNewsis

In a written interview with A.P. that was released on the 14th, a day before his departure, President Yoon said, “If I meet various leaders on the occasion of this APEC summit, I will emphasize that the illegal cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a serious threat to the security of the Korean peninsula, the region, and the world, and discuss ways to cooperate.”

President Yoon continued, “The so-called military reconnaissance satellite claimed by North Korea uses ballistic missile technology, and the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite is essentially aimed at enhancing nuclear delivery means. Suppose North Korea succeeds in launching a military reconnaissance satellite. In that case, it will mean a step up in North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capability and enhanced countermeasures need to be devised against this.” It has been reported that the government is considering suspending the effect of the clause restricting South Korea’s reconnaissance capability against North Korea in the 9.19 South-North Military Agreement if North Korea launches a military reconnaissance satellite.

He also said, “Our government will establish a strong security posture by securing overwhelming response capabilities and a posture of retaliation based on a strong Korea-U.S. alliance.”

President Yoon said that to prevent North Korea’s misjudgment, it is necessary to show a strong deterrent capability and will against North Korea based on a solid Korea-U.S. joint defense posture. He added, “The visit to Korea by Secretary of State Blinken and Secretary of Defense Austin will be an opportunity to demonstrate a strong Korea-U.S. alliance.”

President Yoon also said, “Recently, the energy security has been weakened due to the war in Ukraine, the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the weaponization of economic resources, and the fragmentation of the world economy is deepening. Now is the time for APEC, which has led to overcoming crises and innovation at the turning points of the world economy through regional cooperation, to demonstrate its leadership again.”