Lee Jae Myung Stresses "Strong Diplomatic and Security Power to Protect National Interests"... Focuses Campaign on Seoul Metropolitan Area

Lee Jae Myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 26th, "Based on a strong ROK-US alliance, I will pursue pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests." He added, "I will restore the trust foundation of the ROK-US alliance that was undermined by the illegal imposition of martial law, and develop it into a future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance."

Lee Jae Myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting citizens during a campaign rally held on the 25th at Sinbu Culture Street in Dongnam District, Cheonan City, Chungnam Province. Photo by Yonhap News Agency Joint Coverage Team

Through a diplomatic and security policy statement released via social networking services (SNS) on this day, Lee said, "I will strengthen trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan. Japan is an important cooperation partner." He continued, "I will address historical and territorial issues based on principles, while responding to social, cultural, and economic areas in a forward-looking and future-oriented manner, thereby establishing a consistent and solid foundation for Korea-Japan relations."

Lee also stated, "As China is an important trading partner and a country that affects security on the Korean Peninsula, I will manage Korea-China relations in a stable manner." He added, "I will approach Korea-Russia relations from the perspective of prioritizing national interests, and pursue pragmatic diplomacy for the security of the Korean Peninsula and for our businesses."

Regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, Lee said, "I will seek a Korean Peninsula where coexistence is achieved through tension reduction and denuclearized peace." He emphasized, "We must focus solely on peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula, and create this together with the people through social dialogue." Lee also stated, "I will promote mutually beneficial inter-Korean dialogue and exchange cooperation that resonates with the public," and added, "I will work to ensure that the human rights of North Korean residents are substantially improved."

Meanwhile, on the morning of the same day, Lee toured the southeastern region of Gyeonggi Province, including Suwon, Yongin, and Namyangju, appealing for support. Cho Seungrae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's election campaign committee, explained, "The southeastern region of Gyeonggi is an area vibrant with advanced industries and youth." Lee visited Ajou University and held a meeting with students from five colleges: the College of Engineering, the College of Advanced ICT Convergence, the College of Software Convergence, the College of Humanities, and the College of Social Sciences. In the afternoon, he will visit Yeongdong Market in Suwon to announce plans for relocating the Suwon military airport, adjusting the sports and culture complex compact city, and establishing K-Silicon Valley. Afterwards, at the main gate of Dankook University's Jukjeon Campus in Yongin, he is scheduled to present comprehensive measures for the semiconductor industry, including the enactment of a special semiconductor law. For his final event, he will visit Namyangju to highlight transportation policies such as the Yongin metropolitan railway, urban railway, the second Yongin-Seoul expressway, and the extension of the Namyangju GTX and subway lines 6, 8, and 9 to address commuting time issues.