On June 3, South Koreans elected Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) as their next president, signaling a shift in the nation’s political landscape.
The snap presidential election aims to bring closure to the political turmoil resulting from former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial martial law declaration in December 2024.
With a power vacuum existing for the last six months, President-elect Lee is now faced with the daunting task of restoring public confidence in the presidency while attempting to stabilize the South Korean economy.
As the new leader, he must also navigate the complex waters of political retribution against his opponents while maintaining a commitment to justice and accountability.
Foreign policy will be another focal point for Lee, especially with the crucial U.S.-South Korea alliance in the backdrop of evolving trade negotiations with the Trump administration.
Lee’s political career has been characterized by his populist progressive stance.
In the 2022 presidential election, he lost by a mere 0.7 points, but his recent campaign showcased a shift towards the center in a bid to attract independent and undecided voters following Yoon’s impeachment.
Even though South Korean progressives have typically advocated for greater autonomy from U.S. influence, Lee emphasized strong support for the U.S.-South Korea alliance during his campaign.
Nonetheless, concerns have arisen in Washington regarding a potential “quiet crisis“ brewing between Seoul and Washington.
Many conservatives and centrist observers are skeptical of Lee’s centrist pivot, viewing him more as an opportunist than a genuine pragmatist.
Furthermore, pressure may come from the more ideologically driven progressives within the DPK who could push for a reevaluation of South Korea’s ties with Washington.
This is particularly relevant if the Trump administration reduces its security commitments or imposes demands that conflict with South Korean interests.
However, shifting geopolitical dynamics coupled with shared interests regarding North Korea might provide a pathway for a more flexible and cohesive U.S.-South Korea alliance than is presently anticipated.
A commitment to pragmatic diplomacy is evident in Lee’s approach to foreign policy, which became apparent during his 2022 campaign.
He appointed former career diplomat Wi Sung-lac as his foreign policy advisor, signaling a focus on diplomatic channels.
Lee’s foreign policy vision, articulated in the Foreign Affairs article titled “A Practical Vision for South Korea,” underscores a commitment to pragmatic diplomacy with neighboring countries, including China.
Acknowledging China’s rising assertiveness, Lee argues for cooperation rather than overt antagonism, stating that such an approach would not serve the national interests of South Korea or its alliance with the United States.
In 2025, Lee has further emphasized his commitment to pragmatism as a guiding principle in shaping his foreign policy agenda.
He has made it clear that the U.S.-South Korea alliance remains foundational to South Korea’s diplomacy and security, while also expressing a willingness to engage with adversarial nations such as China, North Korea, and Russia.
For instance, Lee highlighted on May 18 that while the Korea-U.S. alliance should be the cornerstone of diplomatic efforts, it is unwise to fully invest in a single relationship.
Moreover, during a presidential debate on May 27, he reinforced that the Korea-U.S. alliance must evolve in a substantive, gradual, and future-oriented manner.
Perhaps more controversially, on April 25, he acknowledged the significance of the Korea-U.S. alliance while stating a need for amicable relations with China and Russia—suggesting a pragmatic realignment away from former President Yoon’s values-based diplomacy.
Lee’s advisors on national security and foreign policy will undoubtedly influence the direction of his administration’s foreign policy.
However, his statements to date provide an initial outline of the DPK’s foreign policy agenda and its approach to the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
First and foremost, the U.S. relationship is expected to continue playing a dominant role in South Korea’s foreign policy as the threat from North Korea looms large.
Despite any potential desire to distance from Washington, the DPK understands that the U.S. remains the best guarantor of South Korea’s national security.
As a result, Lee will likely aim to collaborate with the Trump administration to pursue shared security interests.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that South Korea will maintain support for the trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan, barring significant tensions arising in bilateral South Korea-Japan relations.
Secondly, despite the critical partnership with the U.S., more hedging behavior from Seoul toward Washington and Beijing is anticipated.
China, as South Korea’s largest trading partner, will play a critical role in the nation’s economic and supply chain ecosystem.
Lee’s government aims for a more conciliatory stance toward Beijing while potentially engaging with Russia, depending on global events like the situation in Ukraine.
This marks a clear departure from the previous government’s emphasis on values as the guiding principle for foreign relations.
Moreover, incremental engagement with North Korea is another area that Lee has hinted at, with the intent to ease military tensions and rebuild trust between the divided Koreas.
He has proposed establishing an inter-Korean military joint committee and restoring communication channels to manage potential risks along the border.
Lee’s cautious engagement approach may echo Trump’s interest in rekindling ties with Kim Jong Un, albeit both leaders will face challenges persuading Kim to resume negotiations.
Lee’s administration will also likely seek to diversify foreign relations, moving beyond a sole focus on the United States while distancing itself from the Yoon administration’s previous assertions regarding South Korea’s role as a
image source from：https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-south-koreas-presidential-election-means-for-the-us-korea-alliance/
