Lee Jae Myung: "Inter-Korean Summit Is Essential... We Must Seek Coexistence While Maintaining Strong Deterrence"

"No Possibility of the United States Bypassing South Korea"
Concerns Over the South Korea-U.S. Alliance Addressed Amid Rapid Progress in North Korea-U.S. Relations
Lee Jae Myung: "Introducing a Civilian Defense Minister Is Desirable"

Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, stated on the 26th regarding the inter-Korean summit, "It is something that must naturally be done."

Lee made these remarks after meeting with students at Ajou University in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, when asked by reporters about his plans to pursue an inter-Korean summit. He acknowledged that "given the current situation, it is a very difficult task," but added, "We must prepare and make it possible."

Lee said, "We often hold summits with the United States or other countries, so there is no reason not to do so with North Korea." He continued, "Since U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly declared his intention to hold talks with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un, we should also pay attention, provide support, and cooperate."

He drew a clear line regarding concerns that rapidly improving North Korea-U.S. relations could lead to sacrifices in the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Lee stated, "If a North Korea-U.S. summit succeeds and leads to improvement measures, financial burdens on the North will naturally be essential," and added, "With respect to these financial burdens, there is neither a need nor a possibility for the United States to bypass the South Korean government."

Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is holding a meeting with university students on the 26th at the Innovation Sharing Lounge of Ajou University in Yeongtong District, Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province to discuss youth policies. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding inter-Korean relations, he emphasized the importance of coexistence. Lee stressed, "While it is necessary and important to maintain strong military deterrence between the two Koreas during the process of easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and building a peace regime, on that foundation, we must also seek a path toward dialogue, communication, cooperation, coexistence, and shared prosperity."

However, concerning North Korea's nuclear weapons, he mentioned denuclearization. Lee said, "It is neither realistic nor desirable for us to pursue nuclear armament, so by any means, we must achieve denuclearization of North Korea, either directly or through a freeze leading to denuclearization." He added, "The United States plays a major role in denuclearization, but China and Russia also have important roles, so we must manage our relationships with all these countries well."

Regarding relations with North Korea, Lee said, "If we allow a hardline standoff, it will only heighten military tensions, worsen our economy, and negatively impact our security, which does not help real security at all."

Lee also mentioned the possibility of appointing a civilian as Minister of National Defense. He said, "It has been customary to appoint a military officer as Minister of National Defense, but now I think it may be more desirable to appoint a civilian." He continued, "It would be necessary for the vice minister or those in charge of military command to be active-duty officers, while the administration of military affairs could be handled flexibly, perhaps somewhere in the middle."