Shaky South Korea-U.S. Ties: What Lies Behind the Emphasis on 'Principles'?

[Anchor]

Next, let us connect to the Blue House to examine the context behind the remarks made by President Lee Jae-myung and Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha.

Reporter Park Ye-rin, what is the background behind President Lee directly addressing foreign policy principles and South Korea-U.S. relations at this point?

[Reporter]

Recently, there have literally been many issues between South Korea and the United States that could be seen as "differences of opinion."

That was the case with the announcement of investment in Alaska LNG pushed by U.S. President Trump, delays in the issuance of a U.S. visa for the former leader of the ruling party, and emerging rumors of discord between the two countries' intelligence authorities, sparking concerns in some quarters that cracks may have formed in the alliance.

With the conservative opposition claiming day after day that this is the "worst South Korea-U.S. relationship since the founding of the nation," and some within the ruling camp also raising calls for accountability targeting so-called "autonomists" including Unification Minister Chung Dong-young and National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jong-suk, President Lee is seen as having stepped in today (October 13) to sort out the situation directly.

In effect, he sent a message to the domestic political sphere that while there may be differences between Seoul and Washington, it is not a rift, and that while the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains the axis of our diplomacy, a subservient or flunkyist attitude is unacceptable.

Some also interpret his mention that managing relations with neighboring major powers is important as a pointed message intended for the United States.

[Anchor]

Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha noted that there are limits to communication with the White House, even using the word "admit." That seems quite unusual, doesn't it?

[Reporter]

It effectively amounts to the head of the diplomatic front line toward the U.S. stating that there are problems in bilateral relations, and within the Blue House, reactions describing it as an "inappropriate remark" are also being detected.

However, some within the ruling camp view Ambassador Kang as having explained the situation with "straight talk," given that abnormal signs in bilateral ties had emerged since early this year yet remain unresolved.

On the other hand, there is also an interpretation that Ambassador Kang was seeking understanding because the nature of the second Trump administration—relying on a small circle of close confidants—makes past approaches and communication difficult.

[Anchor]

Then does our government have countermeasures to narrow these differences with the United States?

[Reporter]

Given the gravity of the situation, National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac is seeking to visit the U.S. at an early date.

Adviser Wi is expected to initiate comprehensive talks on pending bilateral issues with the White House and the State Department, and seek a "resolution of differences" through summit diplomacy between President Lee and President Trump on the sidelines of the APEC summit to be held in China next month and the G20 summit in the U.S. in December.

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