FILE PHOTO: The Academy of National Defense Science conducts long-range cruise missile tests in North Korea, as pictured in this combination of undated photos supplied by North Korea鈥檚 Korean Central 黑料社 Agency (KCNA) on September 13, 2021. KCNA via REUTERS
SEOUL 鈥� 聽The foreign ministers of South Korea and China held talks in Seoul on Wednesday amid concerns over North Korea鈥檚 recent missile test and stalled denuclearization negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington.
The meeting came days after North Korea said it successfully tested a new, strategic long-range cruise missile last weekend, which analysts say could be the country鈥檚 first such weapon with a nuclear capability.
The test underscored steady progress in Pyongyang鈥檚 weapons program amid a deadlock over talks aimed at dismantling the North鈥檚 nuclear and ballistic missile programs in return for U.S. sanctions relief.
South Korea鈥檚 Chung Eui-yong met Wang Yi, who is also a state councillor, on the second day of a two-day visit, Seoul鈥檚 foreign ministry said.
Chung vowed to continue fostering peace with the North, expressing hopes that the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing could provide a chance to kick-start that effort.
鈥淲e expect China will consistently support our government鈥檚 Korea peninsula peace process,鈥� he told Wang at the start of the talks.
鈥淲e wish that the Northeast Asia relay of the Olympics, from Pyeongchang in 2018 to Tokyo in 2021 to Beijing in 2022, will be held successfully as an epidemic-free, safe and peaceful Games.鈥�
Wang asked for further cooperation to expand common interests and 鈥渕ore quickly, stably and fully鈥� strengthen diplomatic ties which mark their 30th anniversary next year.
Both sides held a separate meeting to map out steps to boost cultural exchanges, which have been scaled back in recent years amid China鈥檚 backlash over a U.S. missile defense system installed in South Korea.
Seoul and Washington say the equipment is designed to counter North Korean missiles, but Beijing argues the system鈥檚 powerful radar can penetrate into its territory.
On Tuesday, the chief nuclear negotiators of South Korea, the United States and Japan met in Tokyo, during which they agreed on the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy to resume denuclearization talks, according to South Korea鈥檚 foreign ministry.
The U.S. envoy, Sung Kim, said during the meeting that Washington has no hostile intent toward Pyongyang and hopes it will respond to offers for talks.
China, North Korea鈥檚 sole major ally, has played a key role in efforts to press it to dismantle its nuclear programs.