Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
President stresses dialogue with N. Korea, US role in peninsula affairs
President Lee Jae Myung speaks to reporters during a press conference marking his 100th day in office at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps
By Anna J. Park
Lee urges building future-oriented ties with Japan
President Lee Jae Myung highlighted the importance of persistent dialogue and trust-building with North Korea, despite Pyongyang’s cold responses, during a press conference Thursday marking his first 100 days in office.
Lee said that as the world’s only divided nation, South Korea has a clear interest in reducing military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, not only for security reasons but also for its economic well-being.
"From North Korea’s perspective, it would be foolish for South Korean officials to expect the North to suddenly soften its stance or greet them with smiles just because the government has changed, halted loudspeaker broadcasts or has taken a few conciliatory steps,” the president said.
He acknowledged that Pyongyang has so far responded indifferently to Seoul’s continued outreach efforts, but emphasized that the South must keep trying.
“Even if there is no visible progress, we continue to make efforts for dialogue, and we hope that consistent effort will eventually bring change,” he said.
Lee cautioned against mirroring North Korea’s hostility. “If they refuse to smile and we keep responding with anger, it is ultimately South Korea that suffers. This is not about doing North Korea a favor, nor about ideology," Lee said, reiterating the need for unrelenting efforts toward peace and stability. "It is about protecting the Republic of Korea’s security, economy and the livelihood of our people."
Emphasizing both the military and economic consequences of heightened tensions, Lee added: “Peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is not only a grave security matter but also an economic one, as tensions along the demilitarized zone impose tremendous costs. Easing those tensions, even slightly, benefits us.”
President Lee Jae Myung speaks to reporters during a press conference marking his 100th day in office at Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential compound, in central Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps
In addition, Lee noted that inter-Korean relations cannot be resolved by South Korea alone, but are part of a complex international issue. He emphasized the importance of coordination with the United States and the need for North Korea-U.S. dialogue, pointing out that Washington “has a direct stake in Pyongyang’s nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile programs.”
“From North Korea’s perspective, the primary threat to its regime is not South Korea, but the United States,” Lee said. “For this reason, the North views its relationship with the U.S. as more important than its ties with South Korea.”
He added that, from both South Korea’s national interest and a practical standpoint, improved North Korea-U.S. relations would promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
“North Korea-U.S. dialogue does not need to be conducted solely under our leadership or within our boundaries,” Lee explained, highlighting the role of U.S. President Donald Trump in influencing developments on the peninsula.
“At present, the person with the greatest influence is U.S. President Trump. While the United States as a whole plays a significant role, the individual characteristics of its president can be critical in securing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” Lee said. “He has acted effectively as a peacemaker, and if he can help achieve real progress in one of the world’s remaining divided regions and sources of instability, that would be a true peacemaker. I conveyed that message to him (during the South Korea-U.S. summit in late August), and my view has not changed."
Lee also reflected on Korea’s historical context, emphasizing that the nation has been divided for just a short period in historical terms and that many countries achieve unification only after hundreds of years. He subtly emphasized the importance of building peace before eventual reunification.
“Right now, talking about reunification might be seen as foolish, but establishing a peace stage beforehand is crucial,” he said. “That is why we must continue to explore dialogue,” he reiterated.
President Lee Jae Myung speaks to reporters during a press conference marking his first 100 days in office at Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential compound, in central Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps
Meanwhile, regarding South Korea-Japan relations and the possible election of a new Japanese prime minister, the president acknowledged that the relationship has been difficult due to historical issues but stressed that there are many areas for cooperation. He said that future-oriented collaborations in social, economic and civilian exchanges will continue between the two neighboring countries.
“We don’t yet know who will be elected, and the chances of the candidates winning are reportedly similar," the president said. “Once a new leader takes office, we will follow our basic principles and two-track strategy: cooperate where possible, address issues that need to be raised and clarify matters that require investigation. That is the approach we plan to take.”
Lee also highlighted the economic dimension of the relationship.
“Especially given that the global economic order is undergoing fundamental changes, a new framework for economic cooperation between South Korea and Japan is essential. It is necessary for Japan, for South Korea and, more broadly, for stability in Northeast Asia,” he said, emphasizing the need to expand opportunities for collaboration.