‘Shot of a lifetime’: South Korea’s Lee snaps selfie with Xi using gifted ‘backdoor’ phone amid 'new phase' in ties

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping using a smartphone gifted to him by the Chinese leader, who had earlier joked that the device might be capable of spying.

Lee met Xi in Beijing on Monday, calling for a “new phase” in South Korea–China relations. Regional security and the lifting of Beijing’s unofficial ban on Korean pop culture are among Lee’s key priorities during his four-day visit to China. He is scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and parliament chairman Zhao Leji on Tuesday.

This is the first visit by a South Korean leader to China since 2019. Relations between the two countries had deteriorated under Lee’s predecessor, impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was openly critical of Beijing.

Xi has appeared keen to improve ties with Seoul amid diplomatic tensions between China and Japan. South Korea is a US security ally but also depends heavily on China for trade, placing Lee in a delicate diplomatic position.

The visit marks the second meeting between Lee and Xi since November, when Xi visited South Korea for a regional economic summit. Lee described the trip as a “crucial opportunity” for the “full-scale restoration” of bilateral ties.

Officials and companies from both sides signed cooperation agreements covering technology, trade and environmental issues.

Lee shared selfies taken with Xi using a Xiaomi phone gifted to him last year. Posting the photos on X, he remarked on the phone’s image quality. Xi noted that the global situation was becoming “more turbulent and complex”.

Xi urged Lee to make “correct strategic choices” and referred to the two countries’ shared history of resisting Japanese militarism, calling for cooperation to maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

Experts say Xi’s eagerness to engage reflects China’s search for regional partners. During the trip, Lee is also expected to attend a memorial service in Shanghai for Korean independence activists.

Lee has indicated that while South Korea seeks improved ties with China, it also aims to strengthen relations with Japan. He is reportedly planning to visit Japan later this month.

Lee also posted a selfie featuring both leaders and their wives, calling it “the shot of a lifetime”. Xi was seen complimenting Lee’s photography skills in a video shared by the South Korean presidency.

The Xiaomi phone drew attention last year when Xi jokingly suggested Lee check for a “backdoor” during an earlier meeting, a rare moment of humour from the Chinese leader.

Lee took office in June following the impeachment of his predecessor and has since sought to repair ties with China after years of strained relations.