Seoul will seek China’s cooperation in advancing dialogue with North Korea during President Lee Jae Myung’s upcoming state visit to Beijing, South Korea’s national security adviser said Friday, underscoring hopes that improved bilateral ties will help ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Speaking to reporters at the Blue House, Wi Sung-lac said the Lee administration views next week’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping as an opportunity to lock in the “full restoration” of ROK-China relations and, in parallel, revive Beijing’s “constructive role” on North Korea.

Lee is scheduled to visit China at Xi’s invitation from Sunday to Wednesday. The