At the Apec summit in Gyeongju, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung jokingly questioned the security of smartphones gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, asking if the devices were safe to use.

Xi, rarely known for public humor, laughed and quipped that Lee should “check if there is a backdoor,” referencing concerns over pre-installed software that could allow surveillance.

The lighthearted exchange, captured on TV and widely covered in South Korean media, highlighted a rare moment of levity from Xi and reflected the leaders’ personal rapport during the summit.

Lee later presented Xi with gifts, including a hand-carved Go board, which Xi praised as “exquisite,” The Guardian has reported.

The interaction offered an unusual glimpse of humor and camaraderie between the two leaders amid broader diplomatic talks.