South Korean Lee Takes Selfie With Xi Jinping in Beijing

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung posted a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping and their wives on social media yesterday during a visit to Beijing.

Lee shared the photo on X, noting it was taken with a Xiaomi phone he received as a gift in Gyeongju. “Thanks to them, I got the shot of a lifetime,” he wrote, adding that he plans to communicate more frequently and collaborate closely with China.

A short video released by Lee’s office showed Xi praising Lee’s photo skills. The Xiaomi handset had drawn attention in November when Xi joked about checking the device for a “backdoor” during an APEC summit—a rare display of humor from the Chinese leader.

During the ninety-minute summit, Xi encouraged Lee to join Beijing in making “the right strategic choices” amid a complex global environment. Lee’s visit follows a US operation in Caracas that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, an action condemned by Beijing and Pyongyang.

The selfie post quickly went viral online, drawing thousands of shares and comments. Lee, who took office in June after his predecessor was removed over a martial law declaration, is seeking to strengthen diplomatic ties with China after a period of strained relations.