▲ Prime Minister Kim Min-seok speaks during a government policy briefing session at the headquarters of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul on March 23, 2026. (Yonhap)

PM-China trip

PM Kim cancels trip to China amid Middle East conflict

SEOUL, March 23 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has scrapped his plans to attend an international forum in China this week to deal with the effects of the escalating conflict in the Middle East on the domestic economy, his office announced Monday.

Kim had been scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the annual Boao Forum for Asia, which starts Tuesday in Boao, Hainan Province.

The forum brings together leaders from national governments, business and academia in Asia and other continents for discussions on pressing issues in the region and around the world.

Kim could also have used his trip to meet with senior Chinese officials in continued efforts to strengthen ties with China, following President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Beijing in January.

However, Kim's office said "complex external risks" brought on by military clashes in the Middle East forced Kim to stay home, adding that their ripple effects were spreading across the national economy and people's livelihoods.

"Establishing a government-level response system is urgent, and decisions and announcements related to the situation will be made soon," the office said. "The cancellation of the trip is to allow Prime Minister Kim to lead the emergency economic response directly and make swift decisions at this juncture."

The office added that it had provided China with "sufficient explanations" through diplomatic channels regarding Kim's decision.

Kim is expected to lead a government task force designed to handle responses to economic crises caused by the Middle East situation.

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