Why Did South Korean President Lee Jae-myung Visit Shanghai During His Trip to China?

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to China, visited Shanghai from the 6th to the 7th of January, touring the site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea from the period of Japanese colonial rule.

Choosing Shanghai for his first visit to China as president is the result of multiple factors including historical sentiment, economic and trade ties, and people-to-people exchanges. It marks an important step for the two countries in building shared values, deepening political mutual trust, and expanding practical cooperation.

A Bond Forged in Anti-Japanese Memory

The year 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Since its official opening to the public in 1993, the site has received millions of visitors, including several South Korean presidents, prime ministers, and parliamentary speakers. The South Korean side has also clearly stated that it will hold commemorative activities in Shanghai to reflect on its historical significance.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea in 1992, visiting this site has become an important diplomatic tradition for South Korean presidents visiting China. Just over a month after diplomatic ties were established in 1992, then South Korean President Roh Tae-woo visited the site with his wife. In 2015, then President Park Geun-hye came to Shanghai to cut the ribbon for the renovated exhibition hall of the “Site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea,” further deepening the symbolic meaning of this vessel of historical memory.

By continuing the tradition of visiting the Provisional Government site, Lee Jae-myung is not only showing respect for the history of national independence but also hopes to strengthen the historical bond of being “comrades in the fight against Japan” by revisiting this shared history, injecting an emotional foundation into bilateral relations.

On January 12, 2025, South Korean tourists queue to visit the Site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea on Madang Road in Shanghai.

A Gateway for Economic and Trade Cooperation

Shanghai is China’s economic and financial center and an international metropolis deeply connected to the global economy. It is also a core gateway for South Korea to expand cooperation with China, which is a practical consideration for Lee Jae-myung’s delegation in choosing to visit Shanghai.

Most foreign dignitaries visiting Shanghai lead large economic and trade delegations, using the opportunity to learn about China’s development while expressing their desire for cooperation and promoting deeper economic and trade exchanges. Lee Jae-myung is no exception; his visit to China is accompanied by a large delegation of over 200 South Korean entrepreneurs.

China has been South Korea’s largest trading partner for many consecutive years, and South Korea is also one of China’s most important economic and trade partners. According to Chinese statistics, China-South Korea trade volume in 2024 reached $328.08 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%. Among this, industrial cooperation between the Shanghai and Yangtze River Delta region and South Korea has been particularly close, making it one of the core areas for South Korean corporate investment.

Shanghai’s practices in areas like regional economic cooperation and green, low-carbon development also align closely with the environmental cooperation and third-party market cooperation that China and South Korea intend to advance. Some Chinese analysts suggest that the two sides are expected to sign several memorandums of understanding in fields such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence during this visit.

On December 8, 2025, the ceremony for the mass production of Zhiyuan’s 5000th general-purpose embodied robot is held in Shanghai, with actor Huang Xiaoming interacting with the robot as a user.

A Window for People-to-People Exchange</p

Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea

The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was established in Shanghai in 1919 following the March 1st Movement, serving as a government-in-exile during the Japanese occupation of Korea. It symbolized Korean sovereignty and led the independence movement, operating from various cities in China before its leaders returned to the Korean peninsula after liberation in 1945.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a major global financial hub and port city on China’s east coast, which grew from a small fishing village into a treaty port opened to foreign trade after the First Opium War in the mid-19th century. Its iconic skyline, exemplified by the Pudong district’s modern towers, contrasts with historic areas like the Bund, reflecting its unique blend of international influence and rapid economic development. Today, it stands as a symbol of China’s modernization and a center of commerce, culture, and innovation.

National Assembly in Seoul

The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea in Seoul is the unicameral legislative body of South Korea, established in 1948 following the nation’s first democratic elections. Its main building, located on Yeouido Island, was completed in 1975 and serves as a central symbol of the country’s modern democratic governance and constitutional order.

Madang Road in Shanghai

Madang Road is a historic commercial street in Shanghai’s Huangpu District, known today for its vibrant nightlife, restaurants, and boutiques. Its history dates to the French Concession era, and it was later redeveloped in the 1990s, becoming a popular pedestrian zone that blends restored *shikumen* (stone-gate) architecture with modern entertainment.

Yangtze River Delta region

The Yangtze River Delta region, centered around Shanghai, is China’s most economically dynamic and urbanized area. Historically a fertile agricultural and canal-based trading hub for centuries, it was forcibly opened to foreign trade in the 19th century, which accelerated its modernization. Today, it is a global financial and manufacturing powerhouse, driving innovation and economic growth for the nation.