South Korean President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the importance of continuing efforts toward the denuclearization of North Korea, stating that Seoul should not abandon this goal despite ongoing challenges. Lee made the remarks during a press conference commemorating his first year in office, a period marked by political turbulence following his predecessor’s declaration of martial law.

Lee’s comments came as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on a two-day visit, marking a significant diplomatic engagement amid stalled nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the United States. Xi’s trip follows recent summit meetings he held separately with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. China remains North Korea’s primary trading partner and a pivotal diplomatic and economic ally, particularly as Pyongyang faces extensive international sanctions.

The White House reported last month that during the Beijing summit, Xi and Trump reaffirmed their mutual commitment to pursuing North Korea’s denuclearization. However, the optimism was tempered by a statement from Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, just before Xi’s visit, asserting that North Korea’s nuclear weapons program represents “the line of no retreat.”

Rejecting proposals that South Korea should develop its own nuclear arsenal in response to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, President Lee warned of the potential regional security risks such a move could provoke. “If Republic of Korea were to pursue nuclear armament, do you really think Japan would stand still? Or Taiwan?” he said, highlighting the possibility of a domino effect that could transform East Asia into a nuclear flashpoint.

Lee also pointed to South Korea’s dependence on exports and warned against the severe repercussions of international sanctions that could follow if Seoul pursued nuclear weapons in defiance of global agreements. “We simply cannot afford to become like North Korea,” he said. “We cannot survive under such sanctions.”

The South Korean leader’s statements underscore the delicate balance Seoul seeks to maintain in addressing North Korea’s nuclear threat, while avoiding actions that might escalate tensions or invite economic retaliation. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping’s visit to Pyongyang signals Beijing’s continued strategic engagement with North Korea amid the broader geopolitical contest involving Washington and other regional actors.