Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korean president calls for practical diplomacy while strengthening US alliance
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on October 13 that his country should protect its national interests through practical diplomacy.
He said the alliance with the United States remains a central part of foreign policy and should continue to deepen.
He also said South Korea must manage relations with nearby major powers.
Lee argued that countries will sometimes disagree and that disagreements should be discussed and managed, not treated as a problem in themselves.
His remarks come amid reported differences between South Korea and the United States, including over intelligence cooperation.
Lee praised South Korean officials involved in negotiations with the United States, including talks on strategic investment.
He also urged his government to focus on jobs, housing and financial access, and ordered a review of how officials handled a recent relationship-related crime in Seoul.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said the country should pursue practical diplomacy focused on national interests while continuing to strengthen its alliance with the United States.
He said South Korea should avoid submissive or overly deferential conduct in relations between countries.
Lee also said managing relations with neighboring powers remains important and that disagreements between countries should not themselves be treated as a problem.
He described South Korea’s strategic investment negotiations as the longest-running among several countries selected for investment and said they produced an outcome that best served the national interest.
Lee made the remarks at a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on October 13.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
- What
- He called for practical, national-interest-focused diplomacy, while saying the US alliance should continue to be strengthened.
- When
- October 13, 2026.
- Where
- At a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House in South Korea.
- Why
- He said diplomacy should protect South Korea’s national interests and manage disagreements between countries.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Meeting date
- October 13, 2026
- Meeting venue
- Blue House
- President
- Lee Jae-myung
- Diplomatic approach
- Practical diplomacy focused on national interests
- Alliance
- US-South Korea alliance to be continuously upgraded
What people are saying
South Korea's diplomatic policy is clearly practical diplomacy for the national interest
We should avoid submissive or overly deferential attitudes in relations between countries
The US-South Korea alliance should continue to be upgraded as a pillar of diplomacy
The mere existence of disagreements cannot be treated as a problem
Sources
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