South Korea turns to China as Trump warms up to Kim

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Seoul on Wednesday to discuss diplomacy with South Korean officials. The visit comes as US President Donald Trump attempts to rekindle talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the US. Wang met with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and is scheduled to meet President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday.

The talks were prompted by Trump's recent changes to the annual US-South Korea military exercises, which were scaled back due to his "very good relationship" with Kim. The exercises, involving tens of thousands of troops, were intended to demonstrate military readiness against North Korea. However, Trump's renewed outreach to Pyongyang has raised questions about US military commitments in the region, as the drills remain a key part of the US security commitment to South Korea.

North Korea routinely condemns the exercises as rehearsals for an invasion, while Seoul and Washington maintain that they are defensive in nature. China, North Korea's only formal treaty ally, has been pushing for a diplomatic solution on the Korean Peninsula. Wang's visit to Seoul provides China with an opportunity to promote its role in Korean Peninsula affairs.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and promoting a political settlement.

Wang also urged Washington to change its "hostile policy" towards Pyongyang. China hopes that South Korea and North Korea can gradually pursue opportunities for "peace and coexistence" and support lasting stability and development on the peninsula. South Korea is also seeking closer ties with China, with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun expressing hope for a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit in November.