Latest news with #KoreaInstituteforNationalUnification
Kuwait Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
S Korea's leader vows to ‘heal wounds' with nuke-armed North
SEOUL: South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung vowed to reach out to the nuclear-armed North and 'heal wounds' as he took office Wednesday, after winning a snap election triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration. South Korea's new center-left leader also warned that 'rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring' pose an existential threat to Asia's export-dependent fourth-largest economy, which has been buffeted by the global trade chaos sparked by US President Donald Trump. Lee scored a thumping victory over conservative Kim Moon-soo of the disgraced ex-president's former party. His term began immediately after the vote tally was certified Wednesday. Lee secured 49.4 percent of the vote, ahead of the 41.2 percent for Kim - who conceded, having been hampered by party infighting and a third-party candidate splitting the right-wing vote. Lee spoke to South Korea's top military commander and formally assumed operational control of the country's armed forces Wednesday, urging them to maintain 'readiness' in case of Pyongyang's provocations - but said in his first comments that he was ready to talk. 'We will heal the wounds of division and war and establish a future of peace and prosperity,' he said. 'No matter how costly, peace is better than war.' He said Seoul would 'deter North Korean nuclear and military provocations while opening communication channels and pursuing dialogue and cooperation to build peace on the Korean Peninsula'. Lee took office just hours before US tariffs on steel and aluminum were due to take effect, with the 50 percent levy hitting crucial South Korean exports. 'The rapid changes in the global order such as rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring pose a threat to our very survival,' Lee said. Markets reacted favorably to the election, with the benchmark KOSPI and the won rising Wednesday. 'Significant departure' Lee's comments on North Korea are a 'significant departure' from those of his hawkish predecessor as he did not immediately attach preconditions to dialogue, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. It signals 'his desire to resolve disagreements through talks', Hong told AFP. Lee held a modest inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly - where Yoon deployed armed troops on the night he attempted to suspend civilian rule. Lee also announced a number of top appointments, including long-time adviser Kim Min-seok as prime minister and former unification minister Lee Jong-seok as spy chief. Lee's day is expected to end with a flurry of congratulatory phone calls from world leaders, with Trump likely to be the first on the line. Trump's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, was swift to offer his own congratulations and voice hope for working with Lee, who previously sought greater distance from the United States. Washington's alliance with Seoul was 'ironclad', the US secretary of state said, citing 'shared values and deep economic ties'. In a statement, the White House described the election as 'free and fair'. But it added: 'The United States remains concerned and opposed to Chinese interference and influence in democracies around the world'. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Lee, while emphasizing the 'great importance to the development of China-South Korea relations'. 'The Chinese side is willing to work with the South Korean side to ... firmly maintain the direction of good-neighborly friendship, adhere to the goal of mutual benefit and win-win,' Xi said, according to state media CCTV. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also said he wanted to 'energize cooperation' between Seoul and Tokyo, South Korea's former colonial ruler. And India's Narendra Modi said on X he wanted to 'strengthen' ties with Seoul as he congratulated Lee. 'Positive direction' Lee comes to power with his party already holding a parliamentary majority - secure for the next three years - meaning he is likely to be able to get his legislative agenda done. On the streets of Seoul, South Koreans said they welcomed Lee's overtures to the North. 'Since our economy and many other aspects of society are closely linked to the state of inter-Korean relations, I hope we can take a long-term perspective and move in a more positive direction,' Choi Ki-ho, 55, told AFP. Lee Ju-yeon, a 42-year-old quasi-public sector employee, said they hoped Lee 'will devote himself to uniting our divided nation'. — AFP
Observer
16 hours ago
- Business
- Observer
South Korea's new leader vows to 'heal wounds' with North
SEOUL: South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung vowed to reach out to the nuclear-armed North and "heal wounds" as he took office on Wednesday, after winning a snap election triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration. South Korea's new centre-left leader also warned that "rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring" pose an existential threat to Asia's export-dependent fourth-largest economy, which has been buffeted by the global trade chaos sparked by US President Donald Trump. Lee scored a thumping victory over conservative Kim Moon-Soo of disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's former party in the snap poll, with his term beginning immediately after the vote tally was certified early on Wednesday. Lee secured 49.4 per cent of the vote, far ahead of the 41.2 per cent for Kim -- who conceded, having been hampered by party infighting and a third-party candidate splitting the right-wing vote. Lee spoke to South Korea's top military commander and formally assumed operational control of the country's armed forces on Wednesday, urging them to maintain "readiness" in case of Pyongyang's provocations — but said in his first comments that he was ready to talk. "We will heal the wounds of division and war and establish a future of peace and prosperity," he said. "No matter how costly, peace is better than war." He said Seoul would "deter North Korean nuclear and military provocations while opening communication channels and pursuing dialogue and cooperation to build peace on the Korean Peninsula". Lee took office just hours before the United States was set to slap tariffs of 50 per cent on South Korea's crucial steel and aluminium exports. "The rapid changes in the global order such as rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring pose a threat to our very survival," Lee said. Markets reacted favourably to the election, with the benchmark KOSPI and the won rising on Wednesday. Lee's comments on North Korea are a "significant departure" from those of his hawkish predecessor as he did not immediately attach preconditions to dialogue, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. It signals "his desire to resolve disagreements through talks", Hong said. Lee held a modest inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly — where Yoon deployed armed troops on the night he attempted to suspend civilian rule. He also announced a number of top appointments, including long-time adviser Kim Min-seok as prime minister and former unification minister Lee Jong-Seok as spy chief. Lee's day is expected to end with a flurry of congratulatory phone calls from world leaders, with Trump likely to be the first on the line. Trump's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, was swift to offer his own congratulations and voice hope for working with Lee, who previously has sought greater distance from the United States. Washington's alliance with Seoul was "ironclad", the US secretary of state said in a statement, citing "shared values and deep economic ties". In a statement to Seoul's Yonhap news agency, the White House described the election as "free and fair". But it added: "The United States remains concerned and opposed to Chinese interference and influence in democracies around the world". Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also said he wanted to "energise cooperation" between Seoul and Tokyo, South Korea's former colonial master. And India's Narendra Modi said on X he wanted to "strengthen" ties with Seoul as he congratulated Lee. Lee comes to power with his party already holding a parliamentary majority — secure for the next three years — meaning he is likely to be able to get his legislative agenda done. On the streets of Seoul, South Koreans said they welcomed Lee's overtures to the North. "Since our economy and many other aspects of society are closely linked to the state of inter-Korean relations, I hope we can take a long-term perspective and move in a more positive direction," Choi Ki-ho, 55, saod. Lee Ju-Yeon, a 42-year-old quasi-public sector employee, said they hoped Lee "will devote himself to uniting our divided nation". — AFP
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘Peace always cheaper than war': South Korea's new leader Lee Jae-myung vows to pursue talks with North Korea
New South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (AP) Just a day after being sworn in as South Korea's new president, Lee Jae-myung pledged on Wednesday to pursue dialogue with North Korea while maintaining strong military deterrence. In a powerful inaugural address delivered at the National Assembly's Rotunda Hall, Lee called for peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula, framing diplomacy as both a moral and strategic imperative. 'No matter how costly, peace is still cheaper than war. It is better to win without fighting than to win through conflict, and the most reliable form of security is peace that requires no fight at all,' Lee said during the televised ceremony attended by around 300 guests. The newly elected leader, who secured a landslide victory, was thrust into office without a transition period following the impeachment of his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon had attempted, and failed, to impose martial law in December, leaving a political vacuum that Lee now fills without the typical time to assemble his team. Addressing lawmakers in a chamber where his party holds a commanding majority, Lee reiterated South Korea's readiness to respond decisively to any military or nuclear provocations from Pyongyang. 'Our defence budget equals North Korea's entire GDP. We have the world's fifth-largest military,' he said, signalling strength while underscoring his willingness to keep communication lines open. In a shift from his predecessor's hardline stance, Lee made no preconditions for talks with the North. Analysts say this represents a significant change in tone. 'It signals his desire to resolve disagreements through talks,' said Hong Min, senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. 'It is notable that Lee has clearly indicated a different approach to North Korea.' Lee also emphasised the need for a robust alliance with the United States and strengthened trilateral cooperation with Japan, while cautioning against overreliance. 'Cooperation with the United States and Japan is essential,' he said. 'But we should not put all our eggs in one basket.'
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
South Korea's new leader vows to ‘heal wounds' with nuclear-armed North
SEOUL: South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung vowed to reach out to the nuclear-armed North and 'heal wounds' as he took office Wednesday, after winning snap elections triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration. South Korea's new centre-left leader also warned that 'rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring' posed an existential threat to Asia's export-dependent fourth-largest economy, which has been buffeted by the global trade chaos sparked by US President Donald Trump. Lee scored a thumping victory over conservative Kim Moon-soo, of disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's former party, in snap elections, with his term beginning immediately after the vote tally was certified early Wednesday. Lee secured 49.4 percent of the vote, far ahead of the 41.2 percent for Kim -- who conceded, having been hampered by party infighting and a third-party candidate splitting the right-wing vote. Lee spoke to South Korea's top military commander and formally assumed operational control of the country's armed forces Wednesday, urging them to maintain 'readiness' in case of Pyongyang provocations -- but said in his first comments that he was ready to talk. 'We will heal the wounds of division and war and establish a future of peace and prosperity,' he said. 'No matter how costly, peace is better than war.' He said the country would 'deter North Korean nuclear and military provocations while opening communication channels and pursuing dialogue and cooperation to build peace on the Korean Peninsula'. Lee took office just hours before the United States was set to slap tariffs of 50 percent on South Korea's crucial steel and aluminium exports. 'The rapid changes in the global order such as rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring pose a threat to our very survival,' Lee said. Markets reacted favourably to the election, with the benchmark KOSPI and the won rising Wednesday. 'Significant departure' Lee's comments on North Korea are a 'significant departure' from those of his hawkish predecessor Yoon, as he did not immediately attach preconditions to dialogue with Pyongyang, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. It signals 'his desire to resolve disagreements through talks', Hong told AFP. 'While it remains to be seen how Pyongyang will respond, it is notable that Lee has clearly indicated a different approach to North Korea,' he added. Lee held a modest inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly -- where Yoon deployed armed troops on the night he attempted to suspend civilian rule. Just a few hundred guests attended, in contrast to the large outdoor events held after regularly scheduled elections, which often attract tens of thousands. He will later head to the presidential office to begin naming key cabinet members, with the focus on who is tapped to serve as presidential chief of staff, prime minister and director of the National Intelligence Service. The day is expected to end with a flurry of congratulatory phone calls from world leaders, with Trump likely to be the first on the line. Trump's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, was swift to offer his own congratulations and voice hope for working with Lee, who previously has sought greater distance from the United States. Washington's alliance with Seoul was 'ironclad', the US secretary of state said in a statement, citing 'shared values and deep economic ties'. Lee comes to power with his party already holding a parliamentary majority -- secure for the next three years -- meaning he is likely to be able to get his legislative agenda done.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Lee Jae-myung Becomes South Korea President, Eyes Dialogue
SEOUL: South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung vowed to reach out to the nuclear-armed North and 'heal wounds' as he took office Wednesday, after winning snap elections triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration. South Korea's new centre-left leader also warned that 'rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring' posed an existential threat to Asia's export-dependent fourth-largest economy, which has been buffeted by the global trade chaos sparked by US President Donald Trump. Lee scored a thumping victory over conservative Kim Moon-soo, of disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's former party, in snap elections, with his term beginning immediately after the vote tally was certified early Wednesday. Lee secured 49.4 percent of the vote, far ahead of the 41.2 percent for Kim -- who conceded, having been hampered by party infighting and a third-party candidate splitting the right-wing vote. Lee spoke to South Korea's top military commander and formally assumed operational control of the country's armed forces Wednesday, urging them to maintain 'readiness' in case of Pyongyang provocations -- but said in his first comments that he was ready to talk. 'We will heal the wounds of division and war and establish a future of peace and prosperity,' he said. 'No matter how costly, peace is better than war.' He said the country would 'deter North Korean nuclear and military provocations while opening communication channels and pursuing dialogue and cooperation to build peace on the Korean Peninsula'. Lee took office just hours before the United States was set to slap tariffs of 50 percent on South Korea's crucial steel and aluminium exports. 'The rapid changes in the global order such as rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring pose a threat to our very survival,' Lee said. Markets reacted favourably to the election, with the benchmark KOSPI and the won rising Wednesday. 'Significant departure' Lee's comments on North Korea are a 'significant departure' from those of his hawkish predecessor Yoon, as he did not immediately attach preconditions to dialogue with Pyongyang, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. It signals 'his desire to resolve disagreements through talks', Hong told AFP. 'While it remains to be seen how Pyongyang will respond, it is notable that Lee has clearly indicated a different approach to North Korea,' he added. Lee held a modest inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly -- where Yoon deployed armed troops on the night he attempted to suspend civilian rule. Just a few hundred guests attended, in contrast to the large outdoor events held after regularly scheduled elections, which often attract tens of thousands. He will later head to the presidential office to begin naming key cabinet members, with the focus on who is tapped to serve as presidential chief of staff, prime minister and director of the National Intelligence Service. The day is expected to end with a flurry of congratulatory phone calls from world leaders, with Trump likely to be the first on the line. Trump's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, was swift to offer his own congratulations and voice hope for working with Lee, who previously has sought greater distance from the United States. Washington's alliance with Seoul was 'ironclad', the US secretary of state said in a statement, citing 'shared values and deep economic ties'. Lee comes to power with his party already holding a parliamentary majority -- secure for the next three years -- meaning he is likely to be able to get his legislative agenda done.
