[News Today] “Asking China to mediate for peace”

[LEAD]
President Lee Jae Myung has returned home after completing a four-day state visit to China. During an impromptu briefing with reporters, he said he asked President Xi Jinping to act as a mediator on Korea Peninsula matters including the North Korea nuclear issue. He added President Xi responded by stressing the need for patience.

[REPORT]
On the last day of his state visit to China.

President Lee Jae Myung held an unscheduled press briefing and shared some of what he discussed with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Lee Jae Myung / President
China can hopefully act as mediator on Korea Peninsula matters including the N. Korea nuclear issues.

He asked China to play a mediating role for peace as all channels of communication between the two Koreas are currently deadlocked despite Seoul's efforts.

In response, Beijing said that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is very important to China as well.
President Xi particularly called for patience.

Lee Jae Myung / President
President Xi said that patience is required, a remark echoed by Premier Li Qiang.

President Lee said the Korean Peninsula should be denuclearized in the long term but he believes the North Korean regime removing nuclear weapons at the present moment is impossible, and again stressed the three-step initiative of a nuclear freeze, followed by reduction and ultimately denuclearization.

Lee Jae Myung / President
For now, in the short term, compensation can be given for the suspension.

President Lee said this was the result of South Korea's military action against the North which continued for a long time, adding that much time and effort is needed in order to resume dialogue.

As for creative peace building measures, he said that above all, mutual trust must be restored alongside devising reasonable, realistic alternatives that are acceptable to both sides.

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