Seoul:President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the significance of maintaining a strong alliance with the United States on Tuesday, while asserting that a submissive approach should be avoided in diplomatic dealings.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee's comments came during a Cabinet meeting amid concerns about possible friction in the alliance between Seoul and Washington. These concerns have been highlighted by the limitations South Korea faces in intelligence sharing with the U.S.
The president stated that diplomacy should prioritize safeguarding South Korea's national interests and that differences between countries are natural. He insisted that diplomacy should always uphold South Korea's dignity and avoid any submissive stance.
Lee reiterated that pragmatism is the guiding principle of South Korea's diplomacy, emphasizing that the nation's interests are paramount. The ongoing restrictions on intelligence sharing with Washington follow remarks by South Korea's unification minister regarding North Korea's Kusong as a site for uranium enrichment, which reportedly led to protests from the U.S. about the unilateral disclosure of shared intelligence.
Some conservative local media have criticized the minister for potentially harming the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Despite these challenges, Lee described the alliance as crucial and a key element of South Korea's diplomacy, noting the need for ongoing discussion and coordination to manage differences.
He pointed to a recent agreement with Washington on U.S. investment projects as evidence of South Korea achieving favorable results through prolonged negotiations. Lee reassured that the government remains committed to protecting national interests and resolving any differences or misunderstandings.
On the previous day, South Korea's Ambassador to the U.S., Kang Kyung-wha, acknowledged progress in intelligence cooperation between the two nations, despite ongoing communication limitations with the White House.