South Korean President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the need for his country to prioritize its national interests in foreign policy amid ongoing tensions with the United States. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee highlighted the importance of managing disagreements between allies through dialogue and diplomacy, reinforcing that such differences are inevitable but should not undermine broader relations.
President Lee underscored the significance of the South Korea–United States alliance, stating that it remains a central pillar of South Korea’s diplomatic efforts. However, he called for a confident approach in conducting diplomacy as a sovereign nation, while still focusing on strengthening cooperation with Washington and other major powers.
The backdrop to these remarks includes reported friction between Seoul and Washington over issues like intelligence-sharing arrangements and visa delays, which have sparked debate within South Korea. Opposition politicians have expressed concerns about the state of bilateral relations. Additionally, there have been challenges in securing high-level communication with the White House, as noted by South Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha.
Ambassador Kang acknowledged that discussions between relevant agencies have made progress on intelligence-related concerns. Despite these challenges, Lee maintained that the government would continue to engage actively to manage differences, ensuring that the alliance with the United States remains strong while safeguarding South Korea’s national interests.