Reform Party: "Lee's Absence from NATO Influenced by Self-Reliance Faction... A Very Dangerous Signal"

"Consecutive Breaks in Communication with Major Countries... Diplomatic Power Weakened"

The Reform Party commented on June 23 regarding President Lee Jae Myung's decision not to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, stating, "We urge him to reverse this decision, even at this stage, and to actively pursue a diplomatic strategy of alliance and cooperation."

President Lee Jae Myung is speaking at a luncheon meeting with the ruling and opposition party leaders held on the 22nd at the residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Youngim, spokesperson for the Reform Party, said in a statement that morning, "President Lee has decided not to attend the NATO summit," adding, "The presidential office cited 'domestic issues' and 'uncertainty in the Middle East' as reasons, but these explanations are difficult to accept."

She continued, "Not long ago, a face-to-face meeting between the leaders of South Korea and the United States at the G7 summit was also canceled. If President Lee skips the upcoming NATO summit as well, direct communication with the leaders of major countries will be consecutively cut off," and pointed out, "It is obvious that South Korea's diplomatic power will be weakened."

She further emphasized, "The NATO summit is a central stage for solidarity and cooperation among liberal democracies. What domestic issue could be more important than attending such a gathering? Ignoring this opportunity is clearly a diplomatic mistake and a loss."

Kim also stated, "An even more serious problem is the analysis that the so-called 'self-reliance faction' within the ruling bloc influenced this decision not to attend," and added, "Around the president are diplomats from the 1980s activist movement who advocate 'self-reliant national defense over the South Korea-U.S. alliance.' If the president was swayed by their advice, it is a very dangerous signal."

The 'self-reliance faction' refers to those who believe that diplomatic and security policy should be centered on inter-Korean relations.

Previously, Kang Yoojeong, spokesperson for the presidential office, stated in a written briefing the previous afternoon, "The president has been actively considering attending this NATO summit," but explained, "After comprehensively considering various domestic issues and the uncertainty caused by the Middle East situation, it was determined that it is simply impossible for him to attend in person."

In response, the People Power Party strongly criticized the decision, calling it "paying too much attention to North Korea, China, and Russia."

Kim Seokki, a People Power Party lawmaker and chair of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said at a party press conference that morning, "As previously feared, the Lee Jae Myung administration is excessively concerned about North Korea, China, and Russia," and added, "By not attending the NATO summit, our allies may misunderstand South Korea."

Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, also posted on his social media (Facebook) that morning, "President Lee's absence from NATO and the so-called 'pro-autonomy faction' taking the lead in foreign policy is like a public declaration," and criticized, "Under the bloc-driven international situation of 2025, such a policy that abandons both practical interests and national interest is less about autonomy and more about acting on a whim."