Lee Jae-myung, "I Will Personally Meet with Biden and Kim Jong-un to Solve the North Korean Nuclear Problem"

[경향신문]

Emphasis on Practical Diplomacy: Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea answers a question at a debate organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on November 25. National Assembly press photographers

On November 25, Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, spoke on his policy on North Korea and said, “I believe the current appeasement policy is more effective than a hardline policy of sanctions.” As for South Korea’s relations with Japan, Lee said, “I think it best that we approach in two tracks by separating the issue of history and territory from socio-economic issues.” Lee appears to have presented a practical route centered on national interests in his foreign policy.

At a debate organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul this day, Lee said, “If we can improve the lives of the people, there is no reason to be caught up in the black-and-white mindset of conservatives versus progressives. It’s the same in foreign affairs, national defense and the economy, as well as domestic politics.”

As for South Korea’s relations with the North, Lee said, “I will build a practical relationship that will help inter-Korean economic development as well as the lives of the citizens of North and South Korea.” He said, “If necessary, I can use a carrot or a stick or even both simultaneously,” and added, “I believe that we managed to achieve considerable stability on the Korean Peninsula with former President Kim Dae-jung’s Sunshine Policy.”

As for the denuclearization of North Korea, Lee said, “I will personally meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un with a solution involving a conditional easing of sanctions and phased actions executed simultaneously.” He also mentioned that it was a loss for everyone if dialogue and negotiations were delayed even one day. Lee also spoke on the denuclearization negotiation between North Korea and the United States, including the collapsed summit in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2019. He said, “Former U.S. President Donald Trump tried to solve all the problems at once with a so-called big deal. I think the attempt to solve everything at once was nearly impossible, since the interests of the various countries surrounding the nuclear issue had accumulated over a long period of time.”

As for the demolition of the joint liaison office in Kaesong in June 2020, Lee said, “Of course it was something that the North should not have done, and it is clear that it was very regrettable from our perspective.” He added, “I will firmly respond to unilateral violations and breaches of inter-Korean agreements and say what I have to say.”

When it came to South Korea’s relationship with Japan, Lee called for the need to respond by separating problems of the past with future issues. He said, “If we successfully separate the issue of economic exchange and cooperation (with issues concerning our past), we can surely find a way to reach a mutual agreement.” Lee refuted the view that he was a hardliner on Japanese issues and said it was a misunderstanding based on a partial observation. Lee said, “Since South Korea and Japan are mutually dependent, we need to find a way to cooperate and help each other.” He further said, “Our relationship should be restored and head toward the future. The political powers should make decisions and act in line with their national interests and the interests of their people.”

At the same time, Lee also urged Japan to apologize for the past. He mentioned the joint declaration by Kim Dae-jung and Keizo Obuchi in 1998 and said, “If Japan maintains the painful reflection and apology on colonial rule stated by Prime Minister Obuchi, South Korea and Japan can easily build a future-oriented relationship.” He added, “Japan needs to learn the attitude Germany took toward other European countries after the war.”

The ruling party candidate argued that the firm development of the ROK-US alliance and the development of strategic cooperation between South Korea and China were the foundation of practical diplomacy centered on national interests. He also said, “I will simultaneously cooperate with the U.S. and China in a variety of fields, including peace on the Korean Peninsula and stability in Northeast Asia, international health issues and response to the climate change, and measures against unstable global supply. As for South Korea’s relations with China, Lee explained that South Korea was not in a position to neglect its security alliance with the U.S. or its relationship with China, and said, “Rather than be forced to choose (between the U.S. and China), I think the direction of our foreign policy should be to constantly create situations where we can decide (voluntarily).”