DPK's Lee vows 'pragmatic' diplomacy, to solidify 3-way cooperation with US, Japan
Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung greets his supporters at a campaign rally in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, May 25. Joint Press Corps
Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung said Monday he would pursue "pragmatic" diplomacy for national interests, if he is elected, and solidify trilateral cooperation between Korea, the United States and Japan.
Lee, the campaign's front-runner, unveiled his foreign policy and national security campaign pledges on Facebook, just eight days before the nation heads to the polls for the June 3 election.
"Based on the firm Korea-U.S. alliance, (I) will implement a pragmatic foreign policy centered on national interest," Lee said "(I) will restore the foundation of trust of the Korea-U.S. alliance that has been damaged by the illegal martial law and develop it into a future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance.
"(I) will solidify the Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation. Japan is an important partner for cooperation."
Lee said he would deal with thorny issues of history between Korea and Japan in a "principled" way, while vowing to strengthen the foundation of bilateral ties by taking a "forward-looking and future-oriented" approach to social, cultural and economic areas.
The two countries have faced rocky relations over historical issues stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea. Ties improved under the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration that sought to strengthen trilateral security cooperation with Washington amid growing North Korean military threats.
On China, Lee called Beijing an "important" trade partner that has influence over security on the Korean Peninsula, while accusing Yoon's administration of damaging bilateral relations.
"(I) will stably manage Korea-China relations, which reached their worst point in the last administration," he said.
Regarding Russia's war against Ukraine, Lee said the conflict, as well as ties between Washington and Moscow, have entered a new stage, pledging to engage in "pragmatic" diplomacy.
"While approaching Korea-Russia relations with the perspective of prioritizing national interest, (we) will contribute to Ukraine's reconstruction and pursue pragmatic diplomacy for the security of the Korean Peninsula and our businesses," he said.
On the issue of North Korea's nuclear threats, Lee said such threats could no longer be "neglected," vowing to work with the U.S. to resolve the issue.
"In order to make substantive progress for peace on the Korean Peninsula and resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, (I) will closely coordinate with our ally, the United States, and pursue a multilayered frame of cooperation with the international community," he said.
He also pledged to reduce tensions with Pyongyang by restoring inter-Korean communication lines that were severed under the previous administration, while seeking dialogue and exchange with the North that "resonates" with the people.
Lee also noted that he would make efforts to improve the human rights situation of the North Korean people.
Regarding national security and defense, Lee said he would strengthen the military's readiness against North Korea's "asymmetric" threats by advancing the extended deterrence system between Korea and the U.S., and Seoul's "three-axis" defense system.
Extended deterrence refers to Washington's commitment to using the full-range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend an ally.
The three-axis structure comprises the Korea Air and Missile Defense system, the Kill Chain preemptive strike platform, and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation system aimed at eliminating the North's command-and-control system in a conflict.