On June 4th local time, the results of South Korea's 21st presidential election were announced. Co-Democratic candidate Lee Jae-ming defeated his opponent with a vote of 49.42%, officially starting his presidency. In his three-time political veteran, he clearly stated in his victory speech that he would use the principle of "national interests first" to reshape South Korea's diplomatic landscape, especially focusing on restoring relations with China and promoting dialogue on the peninsula.
Practical diplomacy to restore Sino-South Korea relations
Li Jae-ming's policy framework toward China is centered on "balance", advocates returning to the route during the Moon Jae-in government, emphasizing that China is South Korea's "important trading partner and country that has an impact on the security of the Korean Peninsula." He clearly opposes the "one-sided" pro-US policy of the Yoon Seo-yue government, and promises to promote the escalation of the China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, relax restrictions on China in the fields of semiconductors, and resume high-level mutual visits and local exchanges. On the Taiwan issue, Li Zaiming bluntly stated that "South Korea does not need to intervene in depth" and advocates safeguarding national interests by "not choosing sides". This pragmatic attitude is seen by the outside world as the key to reversing China-South Korea relations "fall to a low point".
Peninsula Dialogue sends out a signal of peace
On the Korean Peninsula issue, Li Zaiming put forward a new idea of "promoting peace through economic cooperation", plans to restore the South Korean-North Korea military hotline, and discuss the restart of projects such as Kaesong Industrial Park and Mount Kwangmang Tourism. He emphasized that "the policy toward North Korea should not be reduced to a political tool" and advocated ease of military tensions through "reciprocal dialogue", which is in sharp contrast to the tough confrontation of the Yoon Seok-young government. Analysis points out that Lee Jae-ming’s strategy is more in line with mainstream Korean public opinion - more than 60% of the people support improving North-South relations through dialogue.
Internal and external challenges test governance wisdom
Although Lee Jae-ming's common Democratic Party accounts for two-thirds of the majority in Congress, the 49.42% vote rate shows that conservative forces still have influence. The implementation of its policies requires balancing the South Korean-US alliance with cooperation with China, while responding to downward economic pressure and judicial disputes. Some experts pointed out that whether Li Zaiming can break through structural restrictions on sensitive issues such as THAAD will become a touchstone for testing his diplomatic wisdom.
