South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday in Beijing, seeking to reset strained relations between the two nations. The summit, their second since November when Xi visited South Korea, aimed to address regional security concerns and economic cooperation amid rising tensions in the region, according to BBC World.

Lee's visit to Beijing was considered a significant move as he sought assurances that China would not leverage its economic power in response to political disagreements, reported BBC World. China is South Korea's largest trading partner, making the relationship crucial for South Korea's economy.

The meeting occurred against a backdrop of diplomatic friction between China and Japan over Taiwan's status. This dispute has placed South Korea in a difficult position, balancing its alliance with the United States and its critical economic ties with China, according to BBC World.

On the agenda for the summit were regional security issues and Beijing's unofficial ban on Korean pop culture, BBC World reported. Experts suggest that Lee was looking for guarantees that China would not "weaponise" their economic relationship amidst ongoing political tensions.