Lee Stresses Long-Term, Strategic Steps Over Dokdo
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak called for the need Thursday to avoid an emotional reaction to Japan's claim to the South Korean islets of Dokdo, saying Korea should adopt a long-term and strategic approach to protect its sovereignty over Dokdo.
``We should set up policies on Dokdo from a long-term and strategic perspective. It is difficult to solve the problem only with short-term measures and emotional responses,'' Lee said. ``We need to react to Japan's move to hurt our sovereignty in a cool-headed manner.''
He made the remarks at a luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae with members of Seoul Forum, a group of retired diplomats and experts on foreign affairs.
Lee will convene a meeting of the National Security Council Friday for the first time since his inauguration in February to discuss responses to the shooting death of a tourist at Mt. Geumgang and Japan's provocation over Dokdo.
``The President will meet with security-related ministers and the head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to discuss the tourist's death and the Dokdo issue,'' a Cheong Wa Dae spokesman said.
Participants include Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan; Minister of Unification Kim Ha-joong; Minister of National Defense Lee Sang-hee; and NIS chief Kim Sung-ho.
During the meeting with Seoul Forum, the President shared his experience as a university student. Lee was arrested and jailed while leading street demonstrations in the 1960s against Seoul's normalization of diplomatic relations with Tokyo.
Questioned by a participant about the meaning of his ``pragmatic diplomacy,'' Lee replied, ``It means I will put the national interest on top priority in dealing with diplomatic issues. The battle of ideologies will be over on the Korean Peninsula.''
Opposition parties have called on Lee to overhaul his diplomatic and defense policies, saying Japan's claim to Dokdo and the recent shooting death of a South Korean tourist at Mt. Geumgang in North Korea are evidence of his policy failure.
Japan's claim came days after Lee stressed a ``future-oriented'' relationship with Tokyo during his summit with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on July 9.
North Korea has criticized Lee and his conservative government since he pledged to foster Seoul's alliance with Washington. It once called Lee a ``betrayer of the Korean people.''