The Lee Jae-myung administration has pursued a pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests over the past year, seeking a diversified diplomatic strategy. The government has made progress in discussions regarding nuclear-powered submarines and nuclear cooperation with the United States, while also improving relations with China and Japan. However, finding a way to restore inter-Korean relations remains a challenge amid North Korea's declaration of a 'hostile two-state' policy.
During his first year in office, President Lee made nine overseas trips, visited 14 countries, and signed 126 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) as part of his diplomatic efforts.
One of the administration's significant achievements was the mutual visit between the leaders of South Korea and the United States, which occurred just 147 days after Lee took office, marking the fastest such exchange in history. Following a summit with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., in August, a second summit was held at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Gyeongju at the end of October.
In the security sector, the administration secured U.S. support for the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines and expanded rights for uranium enrichment and the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants. These agreements were outlined in the 'Joint Fact Sheet' from the Korea-U.S. summit held on October 29 in Gyeongju.
Relations with China were accelerated following the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to South Korea in November and President Lee's state visit to China in January. The relocation of Chinese structures from the Korea-China provisional measures zone in the Yellow Sea was noted as a significant achievement.
Despite changes in Japanese leadership, with the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and the inauguration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the focus remained on cooperation rather than conflict, maintaining security and economic collaboration. Seven summits and meetings between South Korean and Japanese leaders helped restore 'shuttle diplomacy' and strengthen a forward-looking bilateral relationship.
In multilateral diplomacy, the administration began by participating in the G7 summit, restoring comprehensive diplomatic engagement, and marking the first time a South Korean president presided over a United Nations Security Council meeting, showcasing leadership as a responsible global power.
The Middle East crisis stemming from the U.S.-Iran conflict posed a significant test for the government. Amid the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a South Korean vessel, the HMM Namoo, was attacked while docked in the strait on May 4.
The government supported the evacuation of citizens by deploying military transport and chartered aircraft from the onset of the conflict, engaging in negotiations with Iran and the U.S. to ensure the safety of vessels and the resumption of navigation.
An investigation into the Namoo incident concluded that the weapon used in the attack was likely a Nour-class anti-ship missile developed in Iran. The South Korean government summoned Iranian Ambassador to South Korea, Saeed Koozechi, to lodge a protest and demand measures to prevent recurrence. Additionally, the Israeli government released South Korean nationals who had been detained after being captured by Israeli forces while aboard a humanitarian vessel bound for Gaza.
The administration's North Korea policy aims to shift the relationship from 'hostility and confrontation' to 'peaceful coexistence and mutual growth' through the 'Korean Peninsula Peace Coexistence Policy.'
Shortly after taking office in June, the government implemented measures to restore trust with North Korea. The military authorities abruptly halted loudspeaker broadcasts to North Korea after a year of resuming them. The issue of leaflet distribution by civilian organizations, which had drawn sharp reactions from North Korea, was resolved through persuasion and the passage of related legislation by the Ministry of Unification.
North Korea has institutionalized its 'hostile two-state' stance as articulated by Kim Jong-un in December 2023. In his Liberation Day speech in August, President Lee outlined three principles for North Korea policy: respect for North Korea's regime, no pursuit of absorption unification, and a commitment to refrain from hostile actions. He also indicated plans for the proactive and phased restoration of the military agreement that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration had suspended.
Furthermore, the administration has made diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. President Lee proposed the roles of 'peacemaker' and 'pacemaker' in achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula during his meeting with President Trump.
On September 3, 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stood together at the 80th anniversary parade of China's victory in World War II in Tiananmen Square, marking the first time the leaders of North Korea, China, and Russia gathered since the end of the Cold War.
With a clear alignment of an 'anti-Western and anti-American coalition' centered around China, the Lee administration's pragmatic diplomacy focused on national interests faces another significant test.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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