President Lee Jae-myung said on the 13th that "South Korea is a sovereign, independent state, and our diplomatic principle is pragmatic, national-interest-driven diplomacy," adding that the country "must avoid a subservient or deferential attitude in relations between states." The remarks are seen as a clear statement of a self-reliant pragmatic diplomacy line, coming as concerns mount that the South Korea-U.S. alliance faces strain over issues including limits on intelligence sharing.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House the same day, Lee said the alliance with the United States "is very important," while adding that "managing relations with neighboring major powers also remains important." He went on to say that "diplomacy must protect the national interest," asking, "When every country pursues its own national interest, how could views always align?" He stressed that "it is important to minimize differences and keep them within a manageable range." The comments echoed Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, who said a day earlier that "allies share values, but their interests sometimes collide."
Praising the industry and trade minister and the trade negotiations chief, who handle talks on investment in the United States, Lee said, "Didn't the U.S. side itself acknowledge that our negotiators are very tough?" He added that "where there are differences or misunderstandings, they must be resolved and adjusted." Citing Russian cooperation in opening up Arctic shipping routes, he also said there are "no permanent enemies and no permanent allies."