The Democratic Party of Korea on the 26th noted regarding presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's foreign and security policy promises that there is a focus on the Korea-U.S. alliance, the Korea-Japan partnership, and trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, and that the party's stance is to manage relations with other countries such as China and Russia based on this framework. This explanation comes amid growing 'pro-China controversy' following remarks by the candidate suggesting that one can simply say 'Xie Xie' (謝謝·thank you) to China.
Lee Jae-myung's foreign and security policy advisor, Democratic Party member Wi Seong-rak, stated during a briefing at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, that while the party holds a pragmatic position of wanting to get along well with neighboring countries, the degree of relations with each country differs, and one cannot maintain equal relations with everyone.
He added, “We also have a focus on the Korea-U.S. alliance, the Korea-Japan partnership, and trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, and with this as the foundation, we manage relations with other countries.” This is interpreted as an explanation indicating that traditional allies, the United States and Japan, are the mainstay of relations while managing ties with China and Russia.
Wi noted, “Not only the Korea-China relations but also Korea-Russia relations are at their lowest point since diplomatic ties were established,” adding, “As a result, both China and Russia find themselves in a less constructive position than ever regarding North Korea's nuclear missile issue.”
He continued, “Rather than leaving this situation unaddressed, we must find a way to deal with it,” stating, “The direction for us is to manage our relationships with China and Russia appropriately while maintaining the Korea-U.S. alliance and trilateral security cooperation as our fundamental framework.”
Recently, in a climate where his opponents have been raising the 'pro-China controversy,' he emphasized the importance of relations with the United States first. Earlier, Lee Jun-seok, a candidate from the Reform Party, attacked Lee Jae-myung during the presidential candidate television debate on the 19th, saying, 'The Xie Xie remark is too pro-China.'
Meanwhile, Wi stated regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, 'We will respond to the enhancement of nuclear missile capabilities with deterrence, but in order to achieve denuclearization, dialogue and negotiation must be resumed,' and he added, 'We will pursue a strategy that combines deterrence and negotiation.'
On the subject of nuclear potential, he drew a line. Wi said, 'Our party's position is to completely distance ourselves from nuclear potential,' explaining, 'The peaceful use of nuclear energy that we envision is solely in terms of economic, industrial, and peaceful dimensions.'
Regarding Lee Jae-myung's pledge to establish a control tower overseeing economic security issues, he clarified, 'There are ministries within the government dealing with economic security, but as more coordination and collaboration are needed, we intend to strengthen the control tower centered around the presidential office.'