Seoul, South Korea – South Korean President Lee Jae-myung affirmed on Wednesday that South Korea is prepared to play a mediating role wherever possible. This comes as part of efforts to ease tensions between China and Japan, with Lee emphasizing Seoul’s neutrality.
He told me: “Taking sides will only escalate the conflict… It is advisable, when possible, to reduce the conflict and play a role in mediation and coordination.”
He added that relations with Japan had improved, but historical issues remained emotionally charged. He stressed the need to continue exchanges and cooperation in the economic, security, and cultural spheres, regardless of these differences.
Call for Washington to resume dialogue with Pyongyang
Regarding North Korea, Lee believes that the stalled relations between the two Koreas should not hinder efforts to resume talks between Washington and Pyongyang, emphasizing that the United States has the capacity to achieve this.
He said: “North Korea has categorically rejected our calls for talks, but there are many things the United States can do. North Korea sees the United States, not South Korea, as the party capable of providing security guarantees for its regime.”
He expressed to me his willingness to help create the conditions for resuming talks, including the possibility of reducing joint military exercises with the United States.
