PM Kim Boo-kyum to visit China for final overseas trip, aiming to boost 'summit-level diplomacy'

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is set to embark on his final overseas trip before his term concludes, visiting China from June 22 to 24. This journey is anticipated to support President Lee Jae-myung's administration through "summit-level diplomacy," building on the momentum of his previous international engagements.

The Prime Minister will travel to Beijing and Dalian in Liaoning Province at the invitation of China and the World Economic Forum (WEF). His itinerary includes a special address at the WEF's Annual Meeting of the New Champions, often referred to as the Summer Davos Forum. During his speech, Kim is expected to present South Korea's vision for an innovative economy and discuss global cooperation. This marks the first time a South Korean prime minister has attended the Summer Davos Forum since Hwang Kyo-ahn in 2016, and the event is expected to draw over 1,700 participants from government and business sectors worldwide under the theme 'Innovating at Scale.'

This visit also presents an opportunity to expand cooperation between South Korea and China. As it is Kim's first visit to China since taking office, high-level exchanges are highly anticipated. Attention is particularly focused on whether Kim will meet with his counterpart, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who holds the second-highest position in the Communist Party after President Xi Jinping. Kim is also scheduled to attend events related to the economy and veterans affairs, with potential interactions with other international business and political figures attending the forum.

The trip holds significance not only as the culmination of Kim's "Prime Minister Diplomacy" initiative, which began earlier this year, but also as a platform to showcase his diplomatic capabilities as a potential contender for party leadership. Since January, Kim has engaged in diplomatic activities with major countries, including visits to the United States and Switzerland. His trip to the U.S. in late January was the first solo visit by a prime minister since 1985, where he met with Vice President JD Vance. In March, he met with former President Donald Trump. His visit to Geneva, Switzerland, in the same month involved meetings with heads of international organizations and a phone call with the Swiss president, demonstrating his influence on the international stage.

While some have suggested Kim's diplomatic activities are part of a program to foster future leaders, his efforts have been recognized as a new diplomatic approach based on "national interest-centered practical diplomacy" under the Lee Jae-myung administration. This approach allows for indirect support of state affairs through behind-the-scenes negotiations, bypassing the direct pressures and scheduling complexities of presidential overseas visits. The Prime Minister's Office stated, "This visit to China will provide an opportunity to introduce our government's innovative economic vision to the international community and strengthen international cooperation," adding, "We expect it to accelerate mutually beneficial cooperation by continuing the recent momentum of high-level exchanges between South Korea and China."

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This visit to China will provide an opportunity to introduce our government's innovative economic vision to the international community and strengthen international cooperation. We expect it to accelerate mutually beneficial cooperation by continuing the recent momentum of high-level exchanges between South Korea and China.