It means the leading presidential hopeful from the main opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, is in dire straits. He is girding for South Korea’s own snap presidential election on June 3. As he’s built up momentum on domestic policy promises, his relatively laissez-faire attitude on explicitly foreign policy-related issues has been exposed to criticism. Now critics are casting real doubts on his strategy of “pragmatic diplomacy.” Domestic critics question whether a greater focus on national interests can hold up against rising geopolitical competition.
The 58-year-old ex-physician politician is making waves. He has equally ambitious plans, including a 100 trillion won (US$76 billion) pledge to invest in artificial intelligence (AI). With the election date looming, plenty are looking to his foreign policy position. Lee’s campaign team has described his limited comments on international relations as a “strategic silence,” a tactic that aims to avoid alienating any key player in the geopolitical landscape.
Lee previously faced backlash for suggesting that South Korea could maintain a cordial relationship with China by simply expressing gratitude using the phrase “xie xie.” Critics have roundly assailed this statement, arguing that it showcases the administration’s obliviousness to how multi-faceted diplomatic relations can be. Han Dong-hoon, one of Lee’s political rivals, pointedly remarked, “The ‘West Sea Project’ cannot be stopped by just giving China a ‘xie xie.’”
Even with all the controversies, Lee Jae-myung has remained in a dominant position in the opinion polls. Most Americans consider him to be the front-runner. His campaign is largely based on the notion that he is the only credible alternative to incumbent President Yoon Suk Yeol. As experts warn, Lee’s foreign policy is bad, but that’s not where his vulnerabilities are.
Lee was recently on the wrong side of the law. On March 26, Seoul’s High Court found him not guilty of violating election law. This ruling is not without its challenges. While 11th Circuit prosecutors have appealed this acquittal to the Supreme Court, which could potentially stall his campaign while the case is litigated. Political observers say all of those court cases will lead to major road blocks. They further believe his populist rhetoric will pose greater hurdles than his foreign policy non-interventionism.
Professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo noted, “I think that his main weaknesses during the campaign will be his court cases and some of his more populist remarks, rather than his foreign policy.” He further debunked the common mischaracterization of Lee as being pro-China. This description isn’t what is needed to fully understand the direction of his policies.
As Lee continues to work through these challenges, his political opponents are ramping up their attacks. They’re using his own previous statements to paint him as a babe in the foreign policy woods, unfit to lead. Dr. Lee, another political analyst, stated, “He needs to avoid providing conservatives with ammunition and win over the moderate voters with a perception that he will sustain cordial relations with both the US and Japan.”
Although these criticisms are powerful, Lee’s supporters contend that he is, at heart, pro-South Korea. According to Lee’s policy chief, “I think that DP is ultimately pro-South Korea, rather than pro-China or anti-Japan.” As the US enters the home stretch of election season, tensions are escalating in Northeast Asia. Lee’s foreign policy stance may be the most important aspect of his campaign.
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