South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping after a dinner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping gifted Lee a Xiaomi smartphone last year, joking during their previous meeting that the device might be capable of spying. During his visit to Beijing, Lee shared three selfies with Xi and their wives on social media platform X. He mentioned that the photos were captured with the phone Xi gave him.
“I snapped a selfie with President Xi Jinping and his wife using the Xiaomi I received as a gift in Gyeongju,” Lee wrote. “Thanks to them, I got the shot of a lifetime.” He added, “I will communicate more often and work more closely moving forward.”
This Xiaomi device gained attention in November when Xi made a humorous remark to Lee at an APEC summit in South Korea. Lee inquired whether the phone’s communication line was secure, prompting Xi to joke about checking for a backdoor, referring to software that could allow third-party monitoring—an unusual display of humor from the usually reserved Chinese leader.
During their 90-minute meeting on Monday, Xi encouraged Lee to make strategic decisions jointly with Beijing amid a complex and turbulent global landscape. Lee’s visit comes after a U.S. military operation in Caracas captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and brought him to New York to face drug trafficking charges—a move condemned by both Beijing and Pyongyang.
The online response to Lee’s selfie was swift, with more than 3,400 shares within hours. One user commented, “Sir, do you realize Nicolás Maduro used the same phone?” Lee, who became president in June after the impeachment and removal of his predecessor over martial law issues, has been working to thaw strained diplomatic relations with China after years of freeze.
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Asia-Pacific leaders’ summit in Gyeongju, marking Xi’s first visit to South Korea in 11 years. Lee urged Xi for support in reigniting dialogue with North Korea, which possesses nuclear capabilities. Xi conveyed China’s eagerness to expand cooperation and jointly address regional challenges, emphasizing the importance of solid bilateral relations and mutual respect for each other’s development trajectories.
Ahead of the meeting, Xi highlighted the significance Beijing places on its partnership with Seoul, viewing South Korea as a vital cooperative ally. Lee, elected in a snap election in June, emphasized the importance of strengthening U.S. ties without antagonizing China and sought to ease tensions with North Korea.
He expressed optimism about improving North Korea engagement, referencing recent high-level exchanges between China and North Korea, and encouraged South Korea and China to leverage these moments to bolster strategic communication aimed at resuming talks with Pyongyang. Lee advocates a phased approach to North Korea’s denuclearization, beginning with engagement and a halt to nuclear development.
Pyongyang promptly dismissed the idea of denuclearization as an unattainable “pipe dream” and reiterated its refusal to negotiate with the South, having shifted away from traditional unification policies and branding Seoul as a primary enemy. Kim Jong Un suggested he would consider US talks if Washington drops its denuclearization demands, though he did not publicly respond to President Trump’s recent offer during his South Korea visit.
During the same period, Trump and Lee announced a breakthrough on tariffs, agreeing to reduce U.S. tariffs in exchange for substantial South Korean investment, with Trump leaving before the main summit. U.S. and Chinese officials discussed regional stability and agreed on the importance of U.S.-North Korea diplomacy, though specific Chinese involvement was not detailed in reports.
Xi outlined ways to enhance relations, including respecting each other’s political systems, addressing core concerns through dialogue, and bolstering multilateral efforts in artificial intelligence, biotech, green technology, and aging populations. During his visit, China and South Korea signed seven agreements covering currency swaps, online crime prevention, aging societies, and innovation collaborations. Both leaders expressed a shared commitment to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, with cautious plans for future cooperation.
Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate for South Korea’s Democratic Party, greets supporters alongside his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, June 4, 2025. — Reuters
Lee bested conservative opponent Kim Moon-soo.
“I accept the people’s choice with humility,” Kim states.
Lee will assume office shortly.
SEOUL: Lee Jae-myung, the center-left leader of South Korea, celebrated voters’ “wise decision” as he was announced the victor of a snap presidential election early Wednesday, bringing to a close a period of political upheaval.
Exactly six months after the former president Yoon Suk Yeol threw the nation into turmoil with his ill-fated martial law declaration, official results from the National Election Commission confirmed Lee’s victory over conservative challenger Kim Moon-soo, who conceded the election prior to the official announcement.
The voter turnout reached its highest level in nearly thirty years.
“I humbly accept the people’s will. Congratulations to the newly elected president, Lee Jae-myung,” said Kim as counting of the remaining ballots continued.
Lee expressed gratitude to the voters for their trust, asserting he would strive to meet the substantial responsibility and expectations placed upon him.
In light of South Korea’s increasing partisan divide, intensified by the chaos following Yoon’s martial law move, Lee acknowledged that those who did not support him are still “fellow citizens” and promised to “advance with optimism and begin anew from this moment on”.
He also indicated plans to “encourage dialogue, communication, and cooperation” between Seoul and its long-standing adversary, Pyongyang, a relationship that has deteriorated to its lowest point in years under Yoon’s aggressive stance.
‘Relieved’
Lee will assume office almost immediately, once the commission verifies the vote count, expected early Wednesday.
With 96.74% of the ballots counted, it became mathematically impossible for Kim to close the gap.
Lee will inherit a daunting agenda, including challenges presented by global trade fluctuations impacting the export-driven economy, extremely low birth rates, and a fortified North Korea expanding its military capabilities.
The voter turnout reached 79.4%, the highest since 1997.
An exit poll conducted by the three major broadcasters had earlier predicted Lee’s win, prompting his supporters to celebrate outside the National Assembly, while party officials inside parliament began chanting “Lee Jae-myung.”
For weeks, major polls consistently showed Lee in the lead over Kim—Yoon’s former labor minister—who struggled with internal party conflicts and failed to unite with a third-party candidate, resulting in a fragmented right-wing vote.
After months of instability and a succession of acting leaders, many South Koreans expressed their hope for a more stable future.
Noh Min-young, a 20-year-old protestor since Yoon’s martial law declaration, told AFP she felt “relieved.”
“It’s been a tough journey. I’m thrilled because it feels like we’ve seized the opportunity that so many have fought for over the last six months,” she said.
‘Turning point’
Experts noted that the aftermath of Yoon’s martial law announcement, which left South Korea effectively without leadership during the early months of President Donald Trump’s controversial second term, played a crucial role in shaping the election results.
The election was widely perceived as a referendum on the previous administration, stated Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women’s University, to AFP.
Yoon’s impeachment following his martial law attempt, which saw armed troops deployed to the parliament, marked him as the second consecutive conservative president to be removed from office after Park Geun-hye in 2017.
“Lee’s victory signifies a rejection by the Korean public of undemocratic and illiberal actions like martial law,” explained Gi-Wook Shin, a sociology professor at Stanford University.
This moment may be regarded as a significant turning point in the political landscape of South Korea.
However, Lee’s victory results not only from his own strengths but also from the shortcomings of his competitors, noted Minseon Ku, a postdoctoral researcher at the William & Mary Global Research Institute.
“Lee has a criminal history and has faced various political and personal scandals,” Ku remarked.
His ascent to the presidency is indicative of the deep political discord plaguing South Korea.
In South Korea, presidents are limited to a single five-year term.
Authorities heightened security measures, deploying thousands of officers to ensure that both the election and the upcoming inauguration on Wednesday proceed without incident.
Lee, having survived an assassination attempt last year, has been campaigning in a bulletproof vest and giving speeches behind a protective glass screen.
Supporters of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in South Korea, rally in Seoul on June 2, 2025. — Reuters
South Koreans headed to the polls on Tuesday to select a new president, marking the end of six months of political turmoil that followed former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial martial law declaration.
Early birds began arriving at a polling place in Seoul’s Munrae-dong neighborhood at 6:00 AM to submit their votes.
“We were the first here, hoping our candidate wins, as the presidential election is crucial,” 80-year-old Yu Bun-dol told AFP, noting she supports the conservative People Power Party (PPP) candidate.
Millions have already voted in this snap election, with over one-third of registered voters participating in early voting days last week, according to the National Election Commission.
Polling results consistently show liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung in the lead, with a recent Gallup poll indicating that 49% of voters consider him the top option.
Kim Moon-soo, representing the conservative PPP—Yoon’s former party—follows with 35% support.
The aftermath of the martial law declaration, which left South Korea without effective leadership during the early months of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, is a significant concern for voters, experts assert.
“Polls indicate that the election is perceived largely as a referendum on the previous government,” stated Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women’s University.
“What’s notably alarming is that the martial law and impeachment crisis not only shifted the opinions of moderates but also weakened the conservative stronghold.”
Analysts point out that South Korea’s conservative party is currently in a precarious position.
Yoon’s impeachment over his controversial martial law decree—where armed soldiers were sent to parliament—marks him as the second consecutive conservative president ousted from power after Park Geun-hye in 2017.
Conservative candidate Kim was unable to persuade a third-party contender, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, to merge efforts and prevent a split in the right-leaning vote.
A Pivotal Moment
“Conservative politics used to be associated with effective governance, but it’s increasingly difficult to argue that they are still capable,” remarked Kang Won-taek, a political science professor at Seoul National University.
Lee’s Democratic Party already commands a majority in parliament, and analysts suggest that the divided conservative base will struggle to mount an effective opposition unless they can resolve their internal conflicts.
In South Korea, presidents are limited to a single five-year term.
In regular elections, there is a month-long transition period, with the new president taking office at midnight following the final day of the outgoing leader.
However, in snap elections, the victorious candidate assumes the presidency as soon as the National Election Commission confirms the official vote count.
Following months of instability and a series of interim leaders, many South Koreans are eager for the nation to turn a new page.
In Gwangju, the spiritual center of South Korea’s left, 65-year-old retiree Jung Se-yoon described the election as a “turning point.”
“If we miss this opportunity, it will take an immense amount of time for the country to recover,” Jung warned.
Experts predict a high voter turnout.
“The attention will not only be on whether Lee wins, but whether he secures over 50% of the votes,” noted Bae Kang-hoon, co-founder of the political think tank Valid.
“Achieving this would provide him with significant momentum for his presidency.”
