Latest news with #Seoul-Washington-Tokyo
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
South Korea's new President Lee vows to pursue talks with North and bolster ties with US and Japan
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung vowed Wednesday to restart dormant talks with North Korea and bolster a trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan, as he laid out key policy goals for his single, five-year term. Lee, who rose from childhood poverty to become South Korea's leading liberal politician vowing to fight inequality and corruption, began his term earlier Wednesday, hours after winning a snap election that was triggered in April by the removal of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated imposition of martial law late last year. In his inaugural address at the National Assembly, Lee said that his government will deal with North Korean nuclear threats and its potential military aggressions with 'strong deterrence' based on the South Korea-U.S. military alliance. But he said he would 'open a communication channel with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through talks and cooperation.' He said he'll pursue pragmatic diplomacy with neighboring countries and boost trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation. 'Through pragmatic diplomacy based on national interests, we will turn the crisis posed by the major shift in global economic and security landscapes into an opportunity to maximize our national interests,' Lee said. It was unclear whether Lee's election would cause any major, immediate shift in South Korea's foreign policy. Lee, previously accused by critics of tilting toward China and North Korea and away from the U.S. and Japan, has recently repeatedly stressed South Korea's alliance with the U.S. as the foundation of its foreign policy and avoided any contentious remarks that would raise questions on his views on the U.S. and Japan. 'We'll have to now see if the pressures of office will cause Lee Jae-myung to govern from the center — at least when it comes to matters of national security and the alliance with the United States,' said Ankit Panda, an expert with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 'It's hard to predict with absolute certainty how he will deal with the U.S., North Korea, Japan and China because he's changed his position so much,' said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Washington-based Center for a New American Security. 'We can expect tensions if his government doesn't align with Washington's approach to China and Japan.' The toughest external challenges awaiting Lee are U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policy and North Korea's expanding military partnerships with Russia. But experts earlier said whoever becomes president can't do much to secure major progress in South Korea's favor on those issues. The U.S. and Japan said they congratulated Lee's election and expressed their commitments to developing three-way cooperation. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he wants to hold summit talks with Lee 'as early as possible,' saying he hopes to further promote bilateral ties, both public and commercial. The U.S. State Department said that Seoul and Washington share 'an ironclad commitment' to the alliance. Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a congratulatory message to Lee, saying that Beijing is willing to work with Seoul to advance their cooperative partnership for the benefit of the countries' peoples, according to state broadcaster CCTV. It's unclear how North Korea would react to Lee's speech, as it has shunned any talks with South Korea and the U.S. since 2019. North Korea in recent years has supplied weapons and troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine, and South Korea, the U.S. and their partners suspect Russia might in return transfer high-tech technologies to North Korea to help it perfect its nuclear weapons program. Russia's Tass news agency said Wednesday that top Russian security official Sergei Shoigu has arrived in Pyongyang for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in the latest sign of the countries' booming exchanges. Lee has said he would support Trump's moves to restart nuclear diplomacy with Kim Jong Un as part of efforts to engage with North Korea. North Korea hasn't publicly responded to Trump's outreach. 'Lee and Trump would personally want to resume dialogue with Kim Jong Un. But North Korea has no incentive to talk to Washington or Seoul,' said Duyeon Kim, the analyst. 'Pyongyang has Beijing and Moscow's support both politically and economically, and can buy a lot of time to further perfect its nuclear weapons.' Later Wednesday, Lee nominated former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok, a dove who favors greater rapprochement with North Korea, as his spy chief. The nomination is likely related to Lee Jae-myung's hopes to reopen talks, as the National Intelligence Service previously played a behind-the-scene role to promote ties with North Korea, observers say. Lee Jae-myung also nominated his key political ally and veteran lawmaker Kim Min-seok as prime minister, the government's No. 2 job. Lee is expected to nominate other top Cabinet members in coming days. Lee called for unity to address the country's stark political divide deepened after Yoon's martial law debacle, saying that he will 'answer the people's solemn call to let hope bloom over deep and painful wounds.' Lee still promised a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Yoon's martial law imposition, describing it as a 'rebellion that seized people's sovereignty with arms.' Lee said revitalizing a slowing domestic economy would be his top priority and that his government would immediately launch an emergency task force to wage a 'head-on battle' against the threats of recession. He also promised more aggressive government spending to help spur economic activity. South Korea's central bank last week cut its key interest rate and sharply lowered its growth outlook for 2025 to 0.8%, as it moved to counter Trump's tariff hikes and weak domestic demand worsened by recent political turmoil. Lee also reiterated his campaign vows to reduce inequality, saying that 'the polarization fueled by inequality is now hindering further growth.' Lee's term began immediately without the usual two-month transition period after the National Election Commission formally confirmed his election victory. Before his inauguration, Lee visited the national cemetery in Seoul to pay his respects to late Korean leaders, patriots and war dead who are buried there, and he had a telephone call with Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Kim Myung-soo to call for military readiness against possible North Korean aggression.
Global News
6 days ago
- Business
- Global News
South Korea's new president vows to restart talks with North
South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung vowed Wednesday to restart dormant talks with North Korea and bolster a trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan, as he laid out key policy goals for his single, five-year term. Lee, who rose from childhood poverty to become South Korea's leading liberal politician vowing to fight inequality and corruption, began his term earlier Wednesday, hours after winning a snap election that was triggered in April by the removal of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated imposition of martial law late last year. In his inaugural address at the National Assembly, Lee said that his government will deal with North Korean nuclear threats and its potential military aggressions with 'strong deterrence' based on the South Korea-U.S. military alliance. But he said he would 'open a communication channel with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through talks and cooperation.' Story continues below advertisement He said he'll pursue pragmatic diplomacy with neighbouring countries and boost trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation. 'Through pragmatic diplomacy based on national interests, we will turn the crisis posed by the major shift in global economic and security landscapes into an opportunity to maximize our national interests,' Lee said. Security and economic challenges lie ahead It was unclear whether Lee's election would cause any major, immediate shift in South Korea's foreign policy. Lee, previously accused by critics of tilting toward China and North Korea and away from the U.S. and Japan, has recently repeatedly stressed South Korea's alliance with the U.S. as the foundation of its foreign policy and avoided any contentious remarks that would raise questions on his views on the U.S. and Japan. 'We'll have to now see if the pressures of office will cause Lee Jae-myung to govern from the centre — at least when it comes to matters of national security and the alliance with the United States,' said Ankit Panda, an expert with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Story continues below advertisement 0:35 South Korea election: Liberal Lee Jae-Myung projected to win 'It's hard to predict with absolute certainty how he will deal with the U.S., North Korea, Japan and China because he's changed his position so much,' said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Washington-based Center for a New American Security. 'We can expect tensions if his government doesn't align with Washington's approach to China and Japan.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The toughest external challenges awaiting Lee are U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policy and North Korea's expanding military partnerships with Russia. But experts earlier said whoever becomes president can't do much to secure major progress in South Korea's favor on those issues. US, Japan and China react The U.S. and Japan said they congratulated Lee's election and expressed their commitments to developing three-way cooperation. Story continues below advertisement Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he wants to hold summit talks with Lee 'as early as possible,' saying he hopes to further promote bilateral ties, both public and commercial. The U.S. State Department said that Seoul and Washington share 'an ironclad commitment' to the alliance. Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a congratulatory message to Lee, saying that Beijing is willing to work with Seoul to advance their cooperative partnership for the benefit of the countries' peoples, according to state broadcaster CCTV. It's unclear how North Korea would react to Lee's speech, as it has shunned any talks with South Korea and the U.S. since 2019. North Korea in recent years has supplied weapons and troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine, and South Korea, the U.S. and their partners suspect Russia might in return transfer high-tech technologies to North Korea to help it perfect its nuclear weapons program. Russia's Tass news agency said Wednesday that top Russian security official Sergei Shoigu has arrived in Pyongyang for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in the latest sign of the countries' booming exchanges. 0:34 South Korea sets snap election for June 3 after removal of President Yoon Lee has said he would support Trump's moves to restart nuclear diplomacy with Kim Jong Un as part of efforts to engage with North Korea. North Korea hasn't publicly responded to Trump's outreach. Story continues below advertisement 'Lee and Trump would personally want to resume dialogue with Kim Jong Un. But North Korea has no incentive to talk to Washington or Seoul,' said Duyeon Kim, the analyst. 'Pyongyang has Beijing and Moscow's support both politically and economically, and can buy a lot of time to further perfect its nuclear weapons.' Later Wednesday, Lee nominated former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok, a dove who favors greater rapprochement with North Korea, as his spy chief. The nomination is likely related to Lee Jae-myung's hopes to reopen talks, as the National Intelligence Service previously played a behind-the-scene role to promote ties with North Korea, observers say. Lee Jae-myung also nominated his key political ally and veteran lawmaker Kim Min-seok as prime minister, the government's No. 2 job. Lee is expected to nominate other top Cabinet members in coming days. South Korea still faces political divide Lee called for unity to address the country's stark political divide deepened after Yoon's martial law debacle, saying that he will 'answer the people's solemn call to let hope bloom over deep and painful wounds.' Story continues below advertisement Lee still promised a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Yoon's martial law imposition, describing it as a 'rebellion that seized people's sovereignty with arms.' Lee said revitalizing a slowing domestic economy would be his top priority and that his government would immediately launch an emergency task force to wage a 'head-on battle' against the threats of recession. He also promised more aggressive government spending to help spur economic activity. South Korea's central bank last week cut its key interest rate and sharply lowered its growth outlook for 2025 to 0.8 per cent, as it moved to counter Trump's tariff hikes and weak domestic demand worsened by recent political turmoil. Lee also reiterated his campaign vows to reduce inequality, saying that 'the polarization fueled by inequality is now hindering further growth.' Lee's term began immediately without the usual two-month transition period after the National Election Commission formally confirmed his election victory. Before his inauguration, Lee visited the national cemetery in Seoul to pay his respects to late Korean leaders, patriots and war dead who are buried there, and he had a telephone call with Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Kim Myung-soo to call for military readiness against possible North Korean aggression. —Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and Simina Mistreanu in Taipei, Taiwan, contributed to this report.
Saudi Gazette
6 days ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
South Korea's new president vows to restart talks with North Korea
SEOUL — South Korea's new president Lee Jae-myung has promised to recommence talks with North Korea with the aim of securing peace on the Korean Peninsula. Lee, who was sworn in early on Wednesday following his victory in a snap election, outlined key policy goals for his five-year term, from foreign and economic policy to healing the country's political divide. In his inaugural address to the country's National Assembly, Lee pledged to deal with North Korean nuclear and other military threats with 'strong deterrence' bolstered by the South Korea-US military alliance. However, he also said he would restart talks with Pyongyang, which have not taken place in years, vowing to 'open a communication channel with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through talks and cooperation'. How this will be received remains unclear, as Pyongyang has rejected talks with Seoul since 2019. While critics of the liberal have previously accused Lee of looking toward China and North Korea and away from the US and Japan, the leader also stressed that he wanted to grow the trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation. "Through pragmatic diplomacy based on national interests, we will turn the crisis posed by the major shift in global economic and security landscapes into an opportunity to maximise our national interests,' Lee said. Lee's government will be forced to reckon with myriad challenges, including a slowing domestic economy, US tariff hike and a volatile international context. Lee, whose election victory came after a snap election was triggered in April by the removal of former conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol following his failed attempt to impose martial law last year, has repeatedly emphasized Seoul's alliance with Washington as the cornerstone of its foreign policy. Congratulating Lee on his election, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he wants to hold summit talks with Lee 'as early as possible' to further promote bilateral ties, while the US State Department said that Seoul and Washington share 'an ironclad commitment' to the alliance based on their 'mutual defence treaty, shared values, and deep economic ties'. As well as foreign policy, the new president, who won 49.3% of the votes cast in Tuesday's election against the main conservative contender Kim Moon-soo's 41.3%, pledged to wage a 'head-on battle' against the threats of recession in the country and boost government spending. Addressing the historic constitutional crisis that led to his presidency, Lee promised an in-depth investigation into Yoon's imposition of martial law, while calling for the country to come together and heal the divisions that followed the shocking incident last December. Alongside US tariffs, North Korea's growing military deals with Russia will pose an undeniable challenge. North Korea has been providing Russia with weapons and soldiers as it wages its war against Ukraine, with Pyongyang acknowledging for the first time in April that it has sent troops to fight for Russia against Ukraine. North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has also expressed his unwavering support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine South Korea, the US and allies fear that Russia may give Pyongyang technologies to aid its development of its nuclear weapons programme. Following North Korea's launch of the country's first naval destroyer last month, South Korean officials said the Choe Hyon warship was likely built with the aid of Russia. State media reported that the ship is designed to carry modern weapons including nuclear missiles, with Dr Edward Howell telling Euronews last month that North Korea's development of warships is central to the regime's aims. 'The nuclear ambitions are inextricably linked with Kim's desire for regime survival, but also to his desire for North Korea to be seen as an equal power, of equal status, to the United States," he said. "The development of these warships is intertwined with this nuclear recognition.' — Euronews
Euronews
6 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
South Korea's new president vows to restart talks with North Korea
South Korea's new president Lee Jae-myung has promised to recommence talks with North Korea with the aim of securing peace on the Korean Peninsula. Lee, who was sworn in early on Wednesday following his victory in a snap election, outlined key policy goals for his five-year term, from foreign and economic policy to healing the country's political divide. In his inaugural address to the country's National Assembly, Lee pledged to deal with North Korean nuclear and other military threats with 'strong deterrence' bolstered by the South Korea-US military alliance. However, he also said he would restart talks with Pyongyang, which have not taken place in years, vowing to 'open a communication channel with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through talks and cooperation'. How this will be received remains unclear, as Pyongyang has rejected talks with Seoul since 2019. While critics of the liberal have previously accused Lee of looking toward China and North Korea and away from the US and Japan, the leader also stressed that he wanted to grow the trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation. "Through pragmatic diplomacy based on national interests, we will turn the crisis posed by the major shift in global economic and security landscapes into an opportunity to maximise our national interests,' Lee said. Lee's government will be forced to reckon with myriad challenges, including a slowing domestic economy, US tariff hike and a volatile international context. Lee, whose election victory came after a snap election was triggered in April by the removal of former conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol following his failed attempt to impose martial law last year, has repeatedly emphasised Seoul's alliance with Washington as the cornerstone of its foreign policy. Congratulating Lee on his election, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he wants to hold summit talks with Lee 'as early as possible' to further promote bilateral ties, while the US State Department said that Seoul and Washington share 'an ironclad commitment' to the alliance based on their 'mutual defence treaty, shared values, and deep economic ties'. As well as foreign policy, the new president, who won 49.3% of the votes cast in Tuesday's election against the main conservative contender Kim Moon-soo's 41.3%, pledged to wage a 'head-on battle' against the threats of recession in the country and boost government spending. Addressing the historic constitutional crisis that led to his presidency, Lee promised an in-depth investigation into Yoon's imposition of martial law, while calling for the country to come together and heal the divisions that followed the shocking incident last December. Alongside US tariffs, North Korea's growing military deals with Russia will pose an undeniable challenge. North Korea has been providing Russia with weapons and soldiers as it wages its war against Ukraine, with Pyongyang acknowledging for the first time in April that it has sent troops to fight for Russia against Ukraine. North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has also expressed his unwavering support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine South Korea, the US and allies fear that Russia may give Pyongyang technologies to aid its development of its nuclear weapons programme. Following North Korea's launch of the country's first naval destroyer last month, South Korean officials said the Choe Hyon warship was likely built with the aid of Russia. State media reported that the ship is designed to carry modern weapons including nuclear missiles, with Dr Edward Howell telling Euronews last month that North Korea's development of warships is central to the regime's aims. 'The nuclear ambitions are inextricably linked with Kim's desire for regime survival, but also to his desire for North Korea to be seen as an equal power, of equal status, to the United States," he said. "The development of these warships is intertwined with this nuclear recognition.' US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth will not attend a NATO-led meeting of more than 50 defence ministers in Brussels on Wednesday, an absence that will be seen as another sign of Washington pulling back from its support for Ukraine against Russia's war. For the first time since the US created an international group to coordinate military aid to Ukraine three years ago — following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 — a Pentagon chief will not be present at a meeting of the defence ministers. Hegseth's absence from the meeting of the NATO Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) was confirmed to Euronews by a spokesperson for the US Department of Defence, who cited scheduling issues. The US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker will take his place. Hegseth is set to attend Thursday's meeting of NATO defence ministers. The UDCG was established by Hegseth's predecessor, Lloyd Austin, and more than 50 member nations have collectively provided Ukraine with some $126 billion (€111bn) in weapons and military assistance, including over $66.5bn (€58bn) from the US. However, since US President Donald Trump took office in January, there have been no new announcements of US military or weapons aid to Ukraine. Hegseth turned leadership of the UDCG over to Germany and the United Kingdom in February, and said that Washington would no longer play a role in the monthly meetings. The NATO defence ministers are expected this week to finalise proposals to increase defence spending from 2% to 5% of GDP, ahead of the NATO leaders summit at the end of June in The Hague — with Trump is expected to attend. The US president has called for the 5% target, a demand which has been backed up by NATO chief Mark Rutte. However, none of NATO's 32 members — including the US — currently hit that level. The 5% target is expected to be split into 3.5% of spending directly on defence, and 1.5% on "defence-related" aspects such as cyber warfare and critical infrastructure. A NATO official told Euronews that "3.5% gives us equivalence with the US". What might constitute "defence-related spending" will have to be worked out, a source familiar with the issue said, with some NATO countries pushing for things such as "military mobility", including road-building, to be considered part of such spending. The timeline of when countries should meet the proposed 5% target will also be under discussion, the source said. The planned rise in spending is in response to US demands that the burden of Europe's security be handled by the continent. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine will be one of the main issues at the NATO summit in The Hague, but it is expected to be very different to last year's event in Washington, where Ukrainian Volodymyr President Zelenskyy was at the forefront of proceedings and Kyiv's relationship with Washington was flourishing under the Biden administration. Zelenskyy said this week that Ukraine had been invited to the NATO summit, but the nature of his country's attendance remains to be seen, given that it is not a member. Some sources told Euronews that there is broad consensus that Zelenskyy should be present at the summit 'It'll be a PR disaster if he's not there," said one NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Dutch king is expected to invite Zelenskyy to a dinner for NATO leaders on the opening night, according to another source. On Monday, a second round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in just over two weeks made no progress towards ending the conflict, officials said. The discussions came a day after a string of astonishing long-range attacks by both sides, with Ukraine launching a devastating drone assault on Russian air bases and Russia hurling its largest drone attack of the war against Kyiv. NATO officials told Euronews that they were concerned about Russian advances, despite the Ukrainian army's massive attacks on Russian targets in recent days. 'It was a stroke of genius what Ukraine has achieved over the last few days," the NATO official said. 'We are all positive about it — they took out part of the capability to kill children and civilian infrastructure,' the official added. But while Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb attack on Russia's bomber fleet is regarded as a major setback to Moscow, it does not fundamentally change the situation on the ground. More than 100 Ukrainian drones hit strategic Russian air bases over the weekend, destroying or damaging nearly a third of the country's bombers, according to Kyiv. 'It doesn't change the battlefield — the hard battlefield reality is that Russia is making progress square kilometre by square kilometre,' the NATO official said. "And this operation as great as it was, is not stopping the fact that Russia is moving forward and Ukraine is going through a very hard time," the official told Euronews. "The resounding success of Sunday can't take away that fact."
Asahi Shimbun
6 days ago
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung says he'll bolster U.S.-Japan ties and pursue talks with North
South Korea's newly-elected President Lee Jae-myung takes his oath during his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 4. (Pool Photo via AP) SEOUL--South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung said Wednesday he'll pursue dialogue with North Korea while bolstering a trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan. He said in his inaugural address a day after his election that his government will deal with potential North Korean aggressions with 'a strong deterrence' based on the solid South Korea-U.S. military alliance. But he would also leave the door open for dialogue with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula. He said he'll pursue pragmatic diplomacy and boost a trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Lee, who rose from childhood poverty to become South Korea's leading liberal politician vowing to fight inequality and corruption, won a snap election Tuesday that was triggered by the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated imposition of martial law late last year. Lee's term began immediately without the usual two-month transition period after the National Election Commission formally confirmed his victory Wednesday morning. In a telephone call with Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Myung-soo, Lee asked the military to closely monitor North Korean moves and maintain a solid readiness based on the combined South Korea-U.S. military alliance, according to local TV footage. Lee later visited the national cemetery in Seoul to pay respects to late Korean leaders, patriots and war dead who are buried there.
