"Differences Between Nations Inevitable... Subservient Attitudes Must Be Avoided"

[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung said today (October 13) that differences between nations are bound to exist and that their existence itself cannot be taken issue with. He also emphasized that national interests are paramount, stressing that subservient or flunkeyist attitudes must be avoided.

Kang Cheongwan reports.

[Reporter]

Presiding over a Cabinet meeting today, President Lee Jae-myung stated that South Korea's diplomatic policy is "pragmatic diplomacy based on national interest," raising the avoidance of subservience and flunkeyism as a central theme.

[President Lee Jae-myung: What is most important is the national interest of the Republic of Korea. In relations between nations, we must avoid subservient or flunkeyist attitudes.]

Apparently mindful of recent controversies surrounding South Korea-U.S. relations, President Lee noted that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is a crucial diplomatic axis that must continue to be upgraded, while emphasizing the following:

[President Lee Jae-myung: Differences between nations are bound to exist. But we cannot take issue with the very existence of differences. When each nation pursues its own national interest, could they always be aligned?]

He added that when differences arise between nations, it is important to coordinate and resolve the issues properly out of affection for our country and government.

President Lee also remarked that managing relations with major powers surrounding us is just as important as the South Korea-U.S. alliance, calling for solid cooperation with Russia regarding navigation along the Arctic shipping route.

[President Lee Jae-myung: You conduct diplomacy even during a war, don't you?]

[Cho Hyun / Minister of Foreign Affairs: That is correct.]

[President Lee Jae-myung: You conduct diplomacy even with enemy nations, right? Originally. That is the principle of diplomacy. There are no permanent enemies and no permanent allies.]

Following the Cabinet meeting, President Lee visited Busan to attend a welcoming ceremony for the return of the PanStar Acro, which recently completed a trial voyage along the Arctic route.

Video by Jeong Sang-bo, Ha Ryung | Video Editing by Lee Seung-hee
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.