SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – In his inaugural address on Wednesday, South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae-myung outlined his administration’s commitment to revitalizing dialogues with North Korea while strengthening partnerships with the United States and Japan.
Lee, a prominent liberal figure who has overcome a challenging childhood to achieve his political aspirations, took office following a snap election held in April that saw the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Addressing the National Assembly, Lee emphasized the need for a proactive approach to the nuclear threats posed by North Korea, vowing to rely on a robust South Korea-U.S. military alliance for deterrence. At the same time, he expressed a desire to reopen communication channels with the North, aiming for peace on the Korean Peninsula through diplomatic engagement and cooperation.
“We will navigate the challenges presented by the major shifts in the global economic and security territories through pragmatic diplomacy grounded in national interests,” Lee stated, underscoring his administration’s aim to maximize South Korea’s advantages in international relations.
Despite his progressive stance, it remains uncertain if Lee’s election will lead to significant changes in South Korea’s foreign policy. Critics have previously accused him of leaning toward China and North Korea at the expense of U.S. and Japanese relations. However, during his first speech, Lee reiterated the importance of the alliance with the United States.
Experts remain skeptical about Lee’s alignment with Washington’s strategies, particularly concerning China and Japan. Ankit Panda from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace highlighted the pressures of office potentially shifting Lee’s governance toward a more centrist position regarding national security.
The challenges Lee faces are immediate and pressing, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and North Korea’s increasing military cooperation with Russia. Observers suggest that, regardless of the elected president, tangible progress on these issues remains elusive for South Korea.
Both the United States and Japan congratulated Lee on his election. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed eagerness to meet with Lee soon to discuss enhancing bilateral relations. The U.S. State Department reinforced its commitment to the “ironclad” alliance with South Korea.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also acknowledged Lee’s victory, expressing a willingness to strengthen cooperation between Beijing and Seoul.
The North Korean response to Lee’s inaugural remarks is uncertain, as the regime has largely rejected dialogues with South Korea and the U.S. since 2019. In recent months, North Korea has provided military assistance to Russia amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, raising concerns for Seoul and its allies about potential North Korea-Russia technology exchanges that could enhance the North’s nuclear capabilities.
In a sign of strengthening North Korea-Russia relations, Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang for discussions with Kim Jong Un, highlighting the burgeoning ties between the two nations.
Lee has aligned himself with Trump’s initiative to reignite diplomatic discussions with North Korea, although analysts remain doubtful about the North’s willingness to engage. Duyeon Kim of the Center for a New American Security remarked that while both Lee and Trump desire to communicate with Kim, North Korea is currently incentivized to delay dialogue given its support from Beijing and Moscow.
In a strategic move, Lee nominated former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok, known for advocating reconciliation with North Korea, as the head of his intelligence agency. This selection is seen as a signal of Lee’s intent to revitalize inter-Korean discussions, as the National Intelligence Service has a history of fostering ties with the North.
To lead the government as prime minister, Lee selected veteran lawmaker and political ally Kim Min-seok, with more appointments to the Cabinet anticipated in the coming days.
As he begins his presidency, Lee acknowledged the deep political divisions that have emerged in South Korea, particularly following the turmoil surrounding Yoon’s martial law actions. He called for unity and expressed a commitment to address the people’s call for hope amidst societal wounds.
Concerning Yoon’s controversial martial law, Lee vowed to conduct a thorough investigation, labeling it a “rebellion that seized people’s sovereignty with arms.” This assertion aims to reaffirm his dedication to democratic principles and restorative justice.
Economic revitalization will be another focal point of Lee’s administration. He announced the formation of an emergency task force to confront recession threats head-on, pledging aggressive government spending to stimulate economic activity.
On a macroeconomic scale, the Bank of Korea recently lowered its key interest rate and adjusted its growth forecast for 2025 to 0.8%, a move designed to combat Tariff-related challenges imposed by the Trump administration and sluggish domestic demand exacerbated by political instability.
Lee also reiterated his commitment to reducing inequality, stressing that economic polarization is hindering growth and prosperity in South Korea.
In a departure from the traditional two-month transition period, Lee’s term commenced immediately upon the official confirmation of his victory by the National Election Commission. Before his inauguration, he honored the contributions of past leaders and war veterans at the national cemetery in Seoul and emphasized the need for military readiness against possible North Korean hostilities.
As South Korea embarks on this new chapter under Lee’s leadership, the nation’s political, economic, and diplomatic future hangs in the balance, characterized by the need for reform and reconciliation both domestically and internationally.
image source from：https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/south-koreas-new-president-vows-to-pursue-talks-with-north-korea-and-bolster-ties-with-u-s-japan
