Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, noted regarding the 'Trump administration's trade strategy' that 'the most important negotiation principle is national interest.' He specifically cited examples from Japan and China, stating, 'We do not need to rush to finalize negotiations early.' Lee Jun-seok, the Reform Party candidate, also presented a national interest-centered policy centered on 'pragmatic management of Korea-Japan relations.' Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, pointed to 'trust between South Korea and the U.S.'
The candidate said on the 18th during the 21st presidential candidate TV debate hosted by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission, 'The United States will have many demands, but that does not mean we will achieve them 100%.' He added, 'Japan also said it would negotiate tariffs in advance but later reversed that, and China also faced strong opposition and made significant compromises,' emphasizing the need for 'delicate preparation.'
He continued, 'As a countermeasure, while negotiating trade well, it is necessary to diversify future export markets and export items,' adding, 'In particular, diplomatic efforts to expand economic territory are especially necessary, and we should gradually increase the share of domestic demand.'
Lee Jun-seok stated, 'The two countries, South Korea and the U.S., must firmly recognize that they are not just trade partners, but allies sharing security and strategy,' and said, 'To strengthen ties with the U.S., relations with Japan must also be managed pragmatically.' He added, 'Lee Jae-myung has politically exploited the Japan issue and previously referred to Japan as an 'enemy state,'' asserting, 'Only national interest, not emotion, and action, not declaration, can protect South Korea.'
Kim Moon-soo replied that 'trust with Trump' is the most important. He stated, 'The most important aspect in negotiations with Trump is trust,' stressing, 'Only when we can trust each other is strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance possible.' He continued, 'The South Korea-U.S. issue includes not only trade issues but also U.S. forces in Korea, responses to North Korean nuclear weapons, relations with China, and the Russia-Ukraine issue.' He noted, 'Since South Korea and the U.S. share values in various aspects, we will resolve issues, including tariffs, before July 8, when the tariff exemption expires.'
The candidate, Kwon, remarked, 'Trump's tariff bomb is not just a tariff. It is looting,' and asserted, 'I will not succumb to Trump's predatory trade.' He added, 'The government that bows its head and finishes tribute while watching America has no future,' and stated, 'We should not be submissive to either the U.S. or China, but should ally and engage in multilateral diplomacy.'