Lee Jae-Myung’s ‘Pragmatic Foreign Policy’: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
Sang Hyun Lee (Senior Research Fellow, Sejong Institute)
- President Lee Jae-myung's
recent inauguration, following a period of political turmoil including his
predecessor's impeachment, signals South Korea's return to democratic normalcy.
His participation in the G7 Summit, emphasizing "unity,"
"people's livelihood," and "pragmatic" foreign policy, aims
to restore international trust and diplomatic engagement.
- The Lee administration
faces a complex global landscape, particularly with a shift in US foreign
policy under the Trump administration towards isolationism and a "might
makes right" approach, threatening the rules-based international order.
This, coupled with the collapse of the free trade system and intensifying
US-China rivalry, presents significant challenges for South Korea's
export-dependent economy.
- A key challenge for President Lee's "pragmatic foreign policy" will be balancing alignment with the US-ROK alliance, which may involve contributing to US deterrence against China, while also maintaining open engagement and closer ties with China, a crucial trading partner. The need to avoid being seen as unprincipled or opportunistic in this delicate balancing act is paramount.
