Xi, Trump likely to attend Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea next month

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, speaking ahead of his maiden trip to Beijing, said he plans to discuss Xi’s visit with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

"From what I understand, President Xi will visit South Korea for the APEC summit," he said. "We will have detailed discussions in relation to the matter," according to Yonhap News.

Last month, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung sent a personal letter to Xi, conveyed by a special envoy, which extended an invitation for the Chinese leader to visit South Korea during the summit.

The two-day APEC summit is set between Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, in South Korea's southeastern city of Gyeongju.

Cho’s trip to Beijing marks his first trip to Beijing since the launch of the Lee administration in early June.

During the two-day visit, Cho is expected to discuss trade relations and regional cooperation with Chinese leaders.

“We will discuss ways to further deepen our cooperation and reduce tensions in Northeast Asia,” he said.

China and South Korea formally established diplomatic relations in August 1992. The trade volume between the two countries reached $267.6 billion in 2024.

Separately, acting US Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun on Wednesday said that Trump is expected to attend the APEC summit and meet with his South Korean counterpart President Lee.

Lee personally invited Trump to visit South Korea for the APEC summit during their White House meeting last month.

South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac also said he expects Trump to attend the APEC, but added that nothing has been confirmed.

The possible trip comes as Seoul negotiates "a win-win solution" in their follow-up trade deal under which South Korea will invest some $350 billion in the US in exchange for Trump lowering its reciprocal tariffs on South Korean imports to 15% from the initial 25%.