FM Cho says to push for Lee's state visit to China early next year

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Friday that his ministry will work to arrange President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to China early next year. Cho made the remarks during a policy briefing to the president, outlining his ministry's plans for diplomacy with key countries and regions, as well as major international issues. "We will pursue the president's state visit to China in the early part of next year," he said at the start of the briefing. South Korea is seeking to maintain a stable relationship with China amid its efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea. China is the North's traditional ally and a primary economic benefactor. With the United States, the foreign ministry will work to arrange another timely summit between Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump next year and ensure that follow-up steps for the agreements reached at the recent summits in August and October will be carried out, he said. "Particularly, we will make sure that we make tangible progress in nuclear-powered submarines, nuclear energy and shipbuilding," Cho said. The U.S. has committed to supporting South Korea for