Expect a nuanced approach to foreign policy as President Lee Jae-myung attempts to pull relations with Beijing back from their 'lowest ebb' Six months ago, South Korea teetered on the brink of authoritarian regression.

Korea watchers want to know, as the American leader spends an hour and a half on the phone with the Chinese party boss, Xi Jinping.

In his inauguration speech, South Korea’s newly elected president pledged to strengthen the nation’s alliance with the United States while pursuing a pragmatic relationship with China.