In a strategic diplomatic move, the South Korean government has officially standardized the naming order of the three Northeast Asian countries as ‘South Korea, China, and Japan.’ This decision, announced by an official from President Lee Jae-myung’s office, is widely interpreted as an effort to strengthen ties with China. The move aims to eliminate unnecessary controversies that arose during the previous administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol, which alternated between ‘South Korea, Japan, and China’ and ‘South Korea, China and Japan.’ The shift reflects President Lee’s recent emphasis on restoring and enhancing relations with China, following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 1. During the meeting, Lee expressed confidence in the enduring friendship and historical ties between the two nations. The new naming order is seen as a symbolic gesture to rebalance South Korea’s diplomatic priorities, particularly in light of the previous administration’s perceived tilt toward Japan. Analysts, including Kim Dong-ha, a professor of Chinese studies at Busan University of Foreign Studies, view this standardization as a significant step to emphasize China’s economic proximity to South Korea and to address public sentiment. The decision also aligns with calls from Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing, who urged practical solutions to mitigate anti-China protests. Lee Chang-ho, chairman of the Korea-China Exchange Promotion Committee, noted that the measure reflects the government’s commitment to redefining Northeast Asian trilateral relations and restoring diplomatic balance.