President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam this afternoon. Their meeting lasted 20 minutes longer than originally scheduled to discuss how to promote Korean-Chinese relations.

Above all, the two heads of state agreed to hold a summit when President Moon visits China in December to discuss ways in depth to pursue a forward-looking bilateral relationship.

In regard to North Korea’s nuclear and missile program, the two leaders concurred on the need to manage the current security situation on the Korean Peninsula in a stable manner. They agreed to work to find a peaceful solution to the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue. 

To this end, the two countries will hold strategic talks more frequently on all levels.

The two Presidents highly regarded the October 31 joint statement on improving bilateral relations with regard to the THAAD issue. Based on what had been agreed upon, they said joint efforts would be made to quickly bring back full-fledged bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all sectors. In this connection, President Xi said this signaled a new and good start.

President Moon requested President Xi`s visit to Korea on the occasion of the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and President Xi responded that he would try to do so. President Xi added if circumstances did not allow him to visit in person, he would dispatch a delegation of high-level officials.   

President Xi suggested that senior officials of the two countries, from the Presidents on down, promote bilateral relations through mutual visits. 

A meeting was held between high-ranking officials of the both countries in advance of today’s summit, and the Korean side conveyed to their Chinese counterparts that North Korean defectors’ human rights should be respected; the issue should be dealt according to humanitarian principles; and the Korean Government was willing to accept the defectors if their intentions were confirmed.