South Korean President Lee Myung Bak is meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao to discuss the Korean Peninsula situation today.
The two leaders are set to discuss post-Kim Jong Il North Korea, the new Kim Jong Eun system and stability on the Peninsula, as well as the possibility of a South Korea-China FTA.
On the first day of his official visit to China, Lee will also meet with Wu Bangguo, the speaker of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Conference, and attend a state banquet.
Attention is likely to gather around China’s reaction to South Korea’s stances. For example, the two countries agree on the need to resume the Six-Party Talks but have conflicting opinions on the pro-active behavior actually needed to achieve that goal.
Notably, President Lee will probably ask China to lead North Korea towards genuine denuclearization and improved inter-Korean relations; however, China will most likely ask for a resumption of the Six-Party Talks without prior condition.
Tomorrow, President Lee will have additional discussions and dinner with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and attend an event for the 20th anniversary of South Korea-China diplomatic relations. President Lee will then have a breakfast meeting on the 11th with local South Korean entrepreneurs in China before returning home.
