The 30-minute call comes as Lee, a liberal from South Korea's Democratic Party, seeks to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North-South relations are at their most strained in decades amid Kim's frequent ballistic missile tests and North Korean troop deployments to support Russia's war against Ukraine.

China has traditionally viewed North Korea as a security buffer and an ideologically aligned neighbor it can dominate.

“North Korea has never been as strong – strong militarily as well as strong in oppressing its civilian population – as it is right now,” said Joanna Hosaniak, deputy director general of the Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights.

A Chinese citizen living in the United States pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for illegally exporting firearms, ammunition and other military items to North Korea, the U.S. Justice Department said.

Lee Jae-myung is taking action to ease tensions between South Korea and China, hoping to enlist the latter's help improving relations with North Korea.

As South Korea's election nears, Lee Jae-myung's approach to U.S.-China relations sparks debate, highlighting the geopolitical stakes of the race.

SEOUL, June 4 (UPI) -- Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea's president on Wednesday, just hours after his victory was certified in a snap election that brought an end to months of political turmoil in the country.

Lee Jae-myung will make his international diplomacy debut at the political and economic meeting next week. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korea's new president Lee Jae-myung agreed to work toward a swift tariff deal in their first phone call since Lee was elected this week, Lee's office said on Friday.