• South Korea's President Lee suggests a freeze on North Korea's nuclear program.
• Lee requests Chinese President Xi Jinping to mediate in the ongoing tensions.
• Xi emphasizes the need for patience in dealing with North Korea.
• Seoul's communication channels with Pyongyang currently remain blocked.
• Lee envisions a phased approach towards a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

During his recent state visit to China, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to act as a "mediator for peace" in addressing the North Korean nuclear issue. Lee proposed a halt to North Korea's nuclear program in exchange for "compensation or some form of return," stating, "Just stopping at the current level – no additional production of nuclear weapons, no transfer of nuclear materials abroad, and no further development of ICBMs – would already be a gain," according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Lee's visit marked the first by a South Korean leader to China in six years, aimed at improving relations strained by past diplomatic tensions. He indicated that all communication channels with North Korea are currently "completely blocked," complicating efforts to engage in dialogue, a sentiment echoed by Chinese Premier Li Qiang who also underscored the necessity for patience regarding inter-Korean issues, as reported by Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

During the discussions, President Xi reiterated the need for patience, recognizing the historical tension and military actions that may have heightened North Korea's apprehension. Lee remarked, "For quite a long time, we carried out military actions that North Korea would have perceived as threatening," reflecting the complexities of trust-building in the region, according to India Times and South China Morning Post.

Lee emphasized that stabilizing North Korea's nuclear advancements is crucial for regional security, stating that "leaving the current status would be a loss for Northeast Asia and the entire world." This reflects the urgency with which Seoul is approaching the situation, particularly given North Korea's continued missile testing and assertion that it will only discuss denuclearization under the recognition of its nuclear statehood, as noted by Reuters and Al Jazeera.