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South Korea's likely next leader, Lee Jae-myeon, could change the country's policy on relations with China and North Korea, The Washington Post reports.
He will support US President Donald Trump's efforts to resume dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and even consider nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize if a significant breakthrough is achieved, which would mark a sharp change from Seoul's current tough approach towards Pyongyang.
The publication also suggests that Mr. Lee will soften South Korea’s approach to China. And such a move could put him at odds with the American administration. His position is that South Korea is “on the front lines” of the complex geopolitical landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, Seoul cannot “push back” China. However, he still stressed the importance of strengthening the security alliance with the United States and cooperating with both Washington and Tokyo.
“Lee, 61, is the leader of the opposition Democratic Party and the frontrunner to become South Korea’s next president if the Constitutional Court removes Yun Seok-yeol from office over his attempt to impose martial law late last year. The court is reviewing the National Assembly’s decision to impeach Yun and could issue a ruling within weeks. If Yun is removed, new presidential elections must be held within 60 days,” the journalists explain.
Lee has not yet openly declared his desire to become president of South Korea. Back in 2022, he lost to Yoon by a narrow margin, but due to recent political events in the country, he has strengthened his position. Lee Jae-myung has already said that he will find ways to work with the American president, no matter what.
“If the Democratic Party tries to damage relations between South Korea and the United States… what will we gain from it? We will lose more from deteriorating relations with the United States than we will gain from siding with China,” he said.
Lee is leading the polls in the presidential race, but he may not even be able to run. The reason is legal hurdles, from allegations of illegal funds being funneled to North Korea to a corruption scandal involving a development project in the city of Seongnam, where he served as mayor. Lee Jae-myeon denies the charges and calls the investigation politically motivated.
He was also convicted of violating election laws. Lee has appealed, but if the Supreme Court upholds the conviction before calling a snap election, he will be barred from running for president.
South Korea: You might have missed this
In early December 2024, South Korea declared martial law. The decision was made by President Yoon Seok-yeol. He explained this by the need to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and maintain constitutional order.
Military equipment appeared on the streets of Seoul, and people took to the streets in protest.
On the same day, Yun Seok-yeol announced that he would lift martial law in accordance with the parliament's decision. Sky News reported that the president faces impeachment for imposing martial law.
On December 31, it became known that a South Korean court had issued arrest warrants for President Yun Seok-yeol, who was impeached by parliament and had his office and residence searched on charges of sedition in connection with his brief declaration of martial law.
