[Minute to Read] Lee, Xi hold first phone call to discuss bilateral ties

The Minute to Read (Weekdays) series provides a quick overview of significant events in Korea everyday, conveniently condensed into a one-minute read. Here’s a recap of what happened yesterday: June 10.

President Lee Jae-myung (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (right)

Lee, Xi hold first phone call to discuss bilateral ties

On June 10, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung held a 30-minute phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking his third conversation with a foreign leader since taking office. According to the presidential office, the two leaders discussed strengthening the South Korea-China partnership through cooperation in economy, security, culture, and diplomacy, and agreed on the need for close collaboration as both countries serve as APEC chairs in 2024 and 2025. Lee invited Xi to attend this year’s summit in Gyeongju and emphasized his commitment to deepening bilateral ties. Xi praised Lee’s election victory and highlighted the importance of stable supply chains and mutual respect for core interests. He also underscored the value of a steady and evolving relationship amid global uncertainty. Chinese state media echoed the call’s tone, quoting both leaders affirming the long-standing ties and shared goals of peace and development in the region.

Lee’s retrial postponed under Article 84 protection

The retrial of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act has been indefinitely postponed following the Seoul High Court’s interpretation of Article 84 of the Constitution, which grants presidential immunity from criminal prosecution during a president’s term, except in cases of insurrection or treason. The court’s decision, effectively suspending the case until Lee leaves office, has drawn both support and criticism—praised by some as necessary for stable governance and condemned by others as politically motivated. The ruling may impact Lee’s four other ongoing trials, which include allegations of corruption, illicit payments to North Korea, and misuse of corporate credit cards. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is pushing legislation to mandate the suspension of all criminal trials against sitting presidents.

S. Korea’s tech strength lies in semiconductors, but gaps remain

South Korea ranked fifth overall in a new global assessment of national competitiveness in emerging technologies by Harvard’s Belfer Center, but its score—driven largely by strength in semiconductors—was less than half that of the United States and China. The country placed mid-tier in AI (9th), biotech (10th), quantum (12th), and space (13th), reflecting significant gaps with top-ranked nations. South Korea received zero points for AI model accuracy and algorithm development, highlighting weaknesses in foundational research and talent retention. Experts warn that without stronger government support and global collaboration—especially in biotech, quantum, and space—the country risks falling behind faster-growing competitors. Persistent talent shortages, compounded by demographic decline and a STEM brain drain to medical fields, continue to hamper South Korea’s tech competitiveness.

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