Lee Jae-myung, Interview with The Economist UK... "The Main Value of the Democratic Party is Pragmatism"

On Diplomacy Toward Japan, "Excessive Submission" by Yoon
Distorted Balance Between Deterrence and Dialogue on Inter-Korean Issues

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated in an interview with the British weekly magazine The Economist on the 31st of last month (local time) that "the main value of the Democratic Party is pragmatism."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a New Year's press conference at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the 1st, the Democratic Party released a press statement reporting that Lee emphasized in the interview the importance of "restoring growth and expanding the pie (itself)."

Regarding opinion poll results where the People Power Party's approval rating is higher than the Democratic Party's or the two parties are neck and neck, Lee said, "Voters frustrated by the ongoing confusion used to see the Democratic Party as the opposition force, but now they view it as the ruling force that must take responsibility."

On Korea-Japan relations, he said, "South Korea is a member of the liberal democratic camp. Considering geopolitical realities, there is no objection to deepening relations with Japan and continuing trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan," adding, "Since the bilateral relationship is not hostile, Japan's strengthening of its defense capabilities does not pose a threat to South Korea."

Lee said, "I used to think Japan was a country full of very strange people who invaded Korea and committed terrible human rights violations without properly apologizing. However, after visiting Japan as a lawyer, I was shocked by the diligence, sincerity, and courtesy of the Japanese people," and added, "I eventually realized that the relationship was distorted due to politics." However, he criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's diplomacy toward Japan as an "excessively submissive attitude."

Regarding his so-called 'Xie Xie' (謝謝, thank you) remark, which criticized the government's China diplomacy stance during the last general election campaign, he explained, "Why should we care about what happens in the Taiwan Strait? Shouldn't we take care of ourselves first?" and added, "The remark simply meant that Korea should pursue pragmatic diplomacy and avoid deteriorating relations with China to the extent that it harms national interests."

On North Korea issues, Lee said, "Although the bilateral relationship is hostile, the balance between deterrence and dialogue has been distorted," and added, "We are already militarily strong enough to deter North Korea, and the current task is to improve relations through communication and engagement."