The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Children, pregnant women executed, tortured in North Korea: report

  • 3

    INTERVIEWForeign-born entertainers seek to revolutionize local industry

  • 5

    College students turn to 1,000 won breakfast to beat inflation

  • 7

    Rare Joseon-era map returns home from Japan

  • 9

    Celebrity chef Paik Jong-won takes his business skills to next level with 'The Genius Paik'

  • 11

    Carmakers unveil latest models at Seoul Mobility Show

  • 13

    Seventeen to drop new EP next month

  • 15

    Chun Doo-hwan's grandson to visit May 18 National Cemetery

  • 17

    Donald Trump indicted; 1st ex-president charged with crime

  • 19

    Law denying fathers birth registration of extramarital children ruled unconstitutional

  • 2

    IU says she was excited to share screen with Park Seo-joon in 'Dream'

  • 4

    Korea to scrap customs form for travelers without dutiable goods

  • 6

    NewJeans, Apple join hands to bring immersive audio experience

  • 8

    Korean aesthetics, spirit live on at Gyeongbok Palace

  • 10

    South Korea nominates new ambassador to US

  • 12

    Japanese top visitors to Korea in 2023 as tourism rebounds

  • 14

    INTERVIEWSouth Korea needs to make decision on sending lethal aid to Ukraine : CNAS CEO

  • 16

    Hyundai, BMW and Ford to recall over 12,000 vehicles over faulty parts

  • 18

    4 candidates nominated for Woori Bank CEO post

  • 20

    Gwangju's popular Alleyway restaurant resurrects

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sat, April 1, 2023 | 00:55
Politics
Presidential candidates show sharp contrast in foreign policy direction
Posted : 2021-12-05 09:00
Updated : 2021-12-06 09:05
Kang Seung-woo
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link

By Kang Seung-woo

In every presidential election, the candidates' vision for North Korea and their views on foreign policy have been among the most important issues. In particular, with North Korea continuing to modernizing its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles arsenal, and U.S.-Sino rivalry intensifying, their foreign policy principles are carrying additional significance.

With less than 100 days left until the presidential election, scheduled for March 9, 2022, ruling Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung and main opposition People Power Party candidate Yoon Suk-yeol seem to be heading in different foreign policy directions.

Lee plans to take the initiative in the nation's diplomacy with the United States, China and Japan, based on the national interest, while continuing the Moon Jae-in administration's policy of playing an active role in Korean Peninsula issues. To the contrary, Yoon's vision for foreign affairs and diplomacy is focused on enhancing the South Korea-U.S. alliance, while reinforcing expanded deterrence and international cooperation on the denuclearization of North Korea.

On inter-Korean relations, Lee is taking a "reward first, denuclearization later" approach in order to aggressively engage the reclusive state. Believing that pre-emptive inter-Korean economic cooperation could pave the way for the North to give up its nuclear program over the long term, the 57-year-old is asserting that a conditional lifting of sanctions on Pyongyang in return for denuclearization steps along with a "snapback clause," which would re-impose sanctions immediately if North Korea fails to comply with its denuclearization promises, would be effective.

In addition, Lee is an advocate of President Moon's push for an official declaration ending the Korea War, which he believes would be a starting point to resume stalled inter-Korean talks, while pledging to play a "mediator" role in U.S.-North Korea relations by meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden or North Korean leader Kim Jong-un upon becoming president.

Lee Jae-myung, right, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, shakes hands with Daniel Kritenbrink, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, during a meeting at the party's headquarters in Seoul, Nov. 11. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun

In contrast to Lee's pledges, Yoon, 60, is pushing a denuclearization-first approach, countering North Korea's threats via U.S. extended deterrence, while vowing to open trilateral communication hotlines between South and North Korea and the U.S.

Claiming that the Moon administration has favored North Korea during the past four years, thereby placing inter-Korean ties into a "master-servant relationship" and weakening the South's national security, Yoon has pledged to work together with the U.S. in order to achieve denuclearization.

Yoon opposes the push for an "end-of-war declaration," believing that there would be considerable side effects if this was done before security threats from the North are removed.

Concerning tensions between the U.S. and China, Lee emphasizes the importance to leverage Korea's position between the two powerhouses ― as Washington is a longtime security ally, while Beijing is the nation's largest trading partner.

"Solid progress in South Korea-U.S. ties and strategic cooperation with China are the cornerstone of national interest-centered practical diplomacy," Lee said, adding that he would encourage the U.S. and China to seek closer cooperation with South Korea.

In addition, he insists that the nation needs to act between the two sides on an issue-by-issue basis.

For Yoon's part, he is stressing a comprehensive strategic alliance with the U.S. on all international issues such as Taiwan and the semiconductor supply chain, believing that South Korea's response to each pending issue between the U.S. and China gives little room for Seoul to maneuver.

Yoon Suk-yeol, right, the presidential candidate of the main opposition People Power Party, poses with Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming during their meeting at the party's headquarters in Seoul, Nov. 19. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun

Finally, on Korea-Japan ties, like the Moon administration, Lee is also adopting a two-track approach toward Japan that separates historical and territorial disputes from social and economic cooperation.

During last month's discussion at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club, Lee said perceptions that he was hawkish about Japan were a "misunderstanding" because he personally loves the Japanese people and thinks highly of their frugality, diligence and politeness.

As for Yoon, he pledges to seek a comprehensive solution to issues of history, trade and national security.

"I will design a new 50 years for South Korea-Japan relations marked by shared values and interests, and the creation of trust," he said during a meeting with foreign correspondents in Seoul, also held last month.


Emailksw@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
Top 10 Stories
1Gwangju's popular Alleyway restaurant resurrectsGwangju's popular Alleyway restaurant resurrects
2[INTERVIEW] North Korean defectors bear brunt of remittance scams INTERVIEWNorth Korean defectors bear brunt of remittance scams
3Chun Woo-won apologizes to Gwangju victims, calls grandfather 'criminal' Chun Woo-won apologizes to Gwangju victims, calls grandfather 'criminal'
4Koreans warned against making inappropriate videos in ThailandKoreans warned against making inappropriate videos in Thailand
5Ambassador offers taste of Ghana to Korea Ambassador offers taste of Ghana to Korea
6Korea ready to greet BIE inspection team Korea ready to greet BIE inspection team
7Gimpo airport to launch care service for dogs Gimpo airport to launch care service for dogs
8Yoon gov't disputes Japanese media's claims about summit Yoon gov't disputes Japanese media's claims about summit
9Mirae Asset, SK Telecom team up for security token businessMirae Asset, SK Telecom team up for security token business
10Regulators urge financial groups to minimize interest rate hikesRegulators urge financial groups to minimize interest rate hikes
Top 5 Entertainment News
1IU says she was excited to share screen with Park Seo-joon in 'Dream' IU says she was excited to share screen with Park Seo-joon in 'Dream'
2[INTERVIEW] Foreign-born entertainers seek to revolutionize local industry INTERVIEWForeign-born entertainers seek to revolutionize local industry
3NewJeans, Apple join hands to bring immersive audio experience NewJeans, Apple join hands to bring immersive audio experience
4Celebrity chef Paik Jong-won takes his business skills to next level with 'The Genius Paik' Celebrity chef Paik Jong-won takes his business skills to next level with 'The Genius Paik'
5Seoul Museum of Art to open Korea's first public art archive Seoul Museum of Art to open Korea's first public art archive
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group