During his reciprocal state visit to Beijing, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Jan. 5. Afterward, the presidential spokeswoman and national security adviser praised the restoration of the bilateral relationship, but this claim seems unconvincing to most people. The summit was unable to deliver a joint statement, after Xi’s state visit to South Korea last October had a similar outcome. The presidential office has called the lack of a unified statement a “new normal” to downplay its diplomatic significance. The joint statement is a critical measure of success for these visits. A joint news conference and statement supplement the 21-gun salute, reviewing stand and state banquet. The summit’s joint declaration underlines the leaders’ compromises on shared interests and pledges future development. Many observers are confused by the lack of a joint statement after two summits. The joint statement holds considerable importance for future collaboration. It outlines a framework for subsequent working-level meetings and facilitates progress