President Lee Jae-myung visits Japan, US: Shaping South Korea's new strategy

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - From August 23 to 26, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung visited Japan and the United States in the context of profound geopolitical changes in the region and the world. From Tokyo to Washington, Mr. Lee not only sought to reaffirm Seoul's position in the trilateral alliance, but also aimed to build a pragmatic foreign policy strategy, balancing historical issues, economic interests and regional security.

Towards a new era in Korea-Japan relations

Over the past decades, South Korea-Japan relations have experienced many ups and downs, alternating between conflicts over historical issues and strategic cooperation in a volatile regional context. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's visit to Japan from August 23 is expected to open a new chapter in bilateral relations, based on mutual understanding and respect.

Lee’s choice of Japan as his first destination ahead of the United States was a symbolic and strategic move. In a context of an increasingly unstable international order, with tensions rising in East Asia, prioritizing the rebuilding of relations with Tokyo reflects Seoul’s clear recognition of the importance of a stable and reliable regional foundation.

In recent times, high-level visits between the two countries have often been interrupted by tensions related to historical issues, such as the compensation lawsuit for wartime forced laborers or the “comfort women” issue. However, maintaining and continuing the channels of leadership dialogue is necessary to ensure continuity and stability in bilateral relations.

The previous government of President Yoon Suk-yeol made great strides in relations with Japan by resolving the issue of forced labor, helping to resolve one of the biggest sticking points between the two countries. However, President Lee had previously criticized this policy as “surrender diplomacy ,” leaving Japan concerned that the new administration might reverse existing agreements.

However, in a recent interview, President Lee delivered a remarkable message of reassurance. He insisted that the agreements reached between the previous administration and Japan should not be “reversed.” He stressed that breaking the signed commitments could seriously damage the country’s reputation.

In addition, Mr. Lee also frankly emphasized that historical issues are still “unhealed pain” for the Korean people, and called for deeper sympathy from the Japanese side. This reflects a balanced approach: seeking diplomatic stability while maintaining connection with domestic social sentiment.

Recent surveys show that more than 50% of people in both Japan and South Korea rate the current bilateral relationship as “good.” Clearly, a favorable public opinion foundation is being established, creating conditions for both sides to expand cooperation in areas such as economics , security, technology and cultural exchanges.

Strengthening the Korea-US Alliance, Adapting to the New Global Order

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will make an official three-day visit to the United States from August 24 to 26. A bilateral summit with US President Donald Trump is scheduled for August 25 in Washington DC, according to an announcement from South Korean Presidential Office spokeswoman Kang Yoo-jung.

The visit comes as both countries face increasingly complex challenges in the global security, trade and technology environment. It is not only symbolic for the ROK-US alliance, but also highly practical in redefining strategic priorities between the two allies.

According to the South Korean Presidential Office, one of the main focuses of the summit is to discuss upgrading the traditional military alliance into a “comprehensive strategic alliance” that is not only limited to the security field, but also includes areas such as economy, industry, high technology and supply chain security.

In the new environment, the alliance not only ensures regional security, but also plays an essential role in stabilizing global supply chains, especially in key technology industries such as semiconductors, batteries, strategic minerals and renewable energy, areas where both Korea and the United States have strengths and common interests.

Another important content of the talks is the issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and maintaining stability in Northeast Asia. In recent months, North Korea has conducted a series of ballistic missile tests, a move that South Korea believes has increased the risk of instability. Mr. Lee is expected to reaffirm Seoul's consistent stance on maintaining international pressure on Pyongyang, while leaving open the possibility of dialogue.

In that context, according to analysts, South Korea needs strong support from the US to maintain a central role in regional security policy orientations, while avoiding being pushed aside in global or trilateral agreements (US-Japan-South Korea).

An economic highlight of the visit was the clarification and implementation of the contents related to the US-Korea tariff agreement reached at the end of July. Previously, Washington had begun imposing a 15% tariff on Korean goods, although the two countries have a free trade agreement (KORUS FTA).

In order to reach a trade tariff agreement with the Trump administration, South Korea pledged to invest $350 billion in the US market and buy $100 billion in energy resources from US companies. This may seem like a high price, but Seoul clearly chose to “buy strategic stability” with a concrete economic commitment, rather than trade confrontation.

This visit will be an opportunity for President Lee to ensure that the committed terms will be implemented in a balanced manner, both protecting the interests of Korean corporations and demonstrating genuine goodwill in accompanying the US in shaping the new global value chain.

President Lee Jae-myung's visit to the US is not just a diplomatic ritual, but also an effort to reshape the Korea-US alliance in the context of a rapidly changing world: from military security risks to technological competition, from protectionism to a crisis of trust in the multilateral order.

To achieve this, President Lee will need to demonstrate leadership that is both principled and flexible: firm in negotiations, clear in messaging, and convincing in implementation. In today’s volatile world, a long-term strategy, based on mutual trust and interests, will be key to maintaining South Korea’s central role in Northeast Asia and on the international stage.

Hung Anh (Contributor)

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tong-thong-lee-jae-myung-tham-nhat-ban-my-dinh-hinh-chien-luoc-moi-cua-han-quoc-259158.htm