▲ South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) poses for a photo with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during their meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on May 13, 2026, in this photo released by the presidential office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) poses for a photo with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng during their meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on May 13, 2026, in this photo released by the presidential office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) Bessent-S Korea visit

(2nd LD) Lee meets Bessent, Chinese vice premier ahead of U.S.-China summit

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with details of Lee's meetings with Bessent, He; CHANGES headline; ADDS photo)

SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday held back-to-back talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, and reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation amid global challenges, his office said.

Lee said during his meeting with Bessent at Cheong Wa Dae that South Korea and the United States should further strengthen economic cooperation through close communication so that they can continue the "positive trend" of both countries maintaining stable economies despite increased global uncertainties, according to his spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.

Lee also called for further developing bilateral cooperation in the economic and technological sectors, especially in terms of critical minerals, supply chains and foreign exchange markets, the spokesperson told a press briefing.

While concurring with Lee's remarks, Bessent credited his leadership for South Korea's growth and stock market performance under difficult circumstances, such as the Middle East war, she said.

Lee held talks with He earlier in the day and asked him to play an active role in expanding cooperation between South Korea and China in diverse sectors, including the economy, industry, trade and culture.

The vice premier responded that he is pleased the two countries' bilateral trade increased further this year and conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's greetings.

Lee recalled his meeting with Xi in January and asked that the vice premier also convey his sincerest greetings, the spokesperson said.

The back-to-back talks came as Bessent and He were in Seoul to coordinate the agenda of Thursday's high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Xi in Beijing.

Following their meetings with Lee, the two officials met behind closed doors at a VIP lounge at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul.

The talks were held under tight security, with all access points to the lounge closed, including to the press.

Bessent will later head to Beijing to join Trump on his two-day visit to the country.

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