President Lee Jae Myung takes questions from reporters during a New Year’s news conference at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Wednesday. (Yonhap)


President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the importance of "strategic autonomy" and "pragmatic diplomacy centered on the national interest," as South Korea navigates a volatile 바다이야기무료머니 global landscape marked by growing uncertainty and unpredictability.
Speaking at his New Year's news conference on Wednesday at the presidential office in Seoul, Lee presented this approach 바다이야기고래 as the guiding principle for managing the Korea-US alliance, diplomacy with China and Japan and, beyond that, any viable path toward restoring inter-Korean ties and advancing a nuclear-free Korean Pe 바다신2 다운로드 ninsula.
Lee stressed that strategic autonomy and "self-reliant national defense" are essential in an era of unpredictability, warning that a prolonged low-growth trend is no longer merely a 릴게임추천 n economic issue, but one that could fuel intensified interstate rivalry, and ultimately military conflict.
"Overall, global growth is slowing, and as growth weakens, conflicts are intensify 릴게임손오공 ing ? first as economic disputes and gradually moving toward military confrontation. That is what concerns me," Lee told reporters during the New Year's conference at Yeongbin-gwan, the state guesthouse inside the Cheong Wa Dae compound.
"It is in this context that I repeatedly emphasize self-reliant national defense and strategic autonomy. South Korea is already the world's fifth-largest military power, and we must continue to foster our defense industry."
Against this backdrop, Lee reiterated, "We need to secure as much strategic autonomy as possible so that we are not swayed."
"We must minimize both the risk of entrapment and the risk of abandonment," Lee said. "Pragmatic diplomacy centered on the national interest is not just a catchphrase. This is a truly critical moment, and I believe its importance will only continue to grow."
Lee noted that US tariffs are among many developments unfolding amid shifting global order.
"From the US perspective, it seems they're pushing hard to stabilize their economy ? addressing massive fiscal and trade deficits, domestic conflict and polarization, and the collapse of manufacturing," Lee said. "But for other countries, that pressure is being felt."
On concerns over semiconductor trade, Lee said he was not overly alarmed by reports that the Donald Trump administration could impose a tax equivalent to 100 percent of the sale price on semiconductors not produced in US.
"In phases like this ? marked by intense confrontation and a fluid, unsettled situation ? unexpected variables can suddenly emerge. If you react to every development, you lose your footing," Lee said. "That's exactly when you need a clear sense of direction and a consistent response based on established policies and principles."



President Lee Jae Myung takes questions from reporters during a New Year’s news conference at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Wednesday. (Yonhap)



Beijing thaw, Pyongyang realism

Asked about ties with China, the president said his state visit earlier this month marked "a major turning point" in improving bilateral relations.
"I also came away convinced that areas of friction can be managed," Lee said. "And I felt that by reconfiguring the relationship, there's ample room to create forms of cooperation that benefit both China and South Korea."
Lee said Seoul should expand cooperation with Beijing beyond trade to include diplomatic and security coordination, steadily build mutual trust ? citing talks on a joint search-and-rescue drill in the West Sea ? and strengthen people-to-people ties through cultural exchange and tourism.
On North Korea policy, Lee described Seoul's inter-Korean strategy as "simple but clear-cut."
Lee emphasized the need for strong defense capabilities and deterrence, but said this should serve as a foundation for engagement, not confrontation.
"On that basis, we pursue dialogue, communication, consultation and mutual respect ? working toward coexistence and shared prosperity."
Acknowledging current realities on the Korean Peninsula, Lee said the immediate goal is far more modest.
"At a time when we'd be fortunate just to avoid war, let alone achieve unification, we should set that aside for now and do everything possible to move toward peaceful coexistence."
In that process, Lee added, "The role of the United States is extremely important."
Lee reiterated a three-stage denuclearization road map ? "freeze, arms reduction and denuclearization." Lee pointed out that the ideal goal remains a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, but reality must be acknowledged, as North Korea continues to expand its nuclear arsenal and refuses to relinquish it.
"My view is that all issues should be approached pragmatically ? in ways that actually help," Lee said. "If it cannot be eliminated or wiped out, and if it exists as a reality, then we have to acknowledge the other side as it is and keep persuading it to seek approaches that both sides can accept and that benefit everyone."



Rep. Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the People Power Party, speaks during an emergency general meeting of the party at the National Assembly in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)



Deferring one-on-one talks

On the domestic front, Lee brushed aside renewed calls for a one-on-one meeting with the main opposition leader, saying that talks should begin with party-to-party dialogue.
Lee's comments came after Rep. Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the People Power Party, again urged Lee to meet People Power Party Chair Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok to discuss the party's demand that the ruling Democratic Party of Korea accept legislation to launch dual special prosecutor investigations into alleged wrongdoing by Democratic Party lawmakers.
"I do meet with opposition leaders, but such meetings should happen when they are necessary and useful," Lee told reporters at his New Year's news conference.
"But right now, dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties should come first. If I start holding direct talks ? direct dealings ? with an individual party, what would that mean for ruling-opposition relations and the role of the National Assembly in Yeouido?"
Lee emphasized that the two parties "should first engage in sufficient dialogue among themselves."
Lee said the parties should first hold "sufficient dialogue" among themselves, adding that a meeting with Jang would be appropriate only if the process later "requires a breakthrough or a political decision by the president."
Song's renewed push came as Jang has staged an open-ended hunger strike in the National Assembly rotunda since Jan. 15, demanding two special probes.
One investigation would focus on allegations that Democratic Party figures received illicit funds from the Unification Church through political lobbying. The other would examine alleged irregularities in the Democratic Party's nomination process ahead of the 2022 local elections, including suspicions involving former Floor Leader Rep. Kim Byung-kee.
Amid growing controversy over the nominee to lead the soon-to-be-established Ministry of Planning and Budget, the president said "Put bluntly, I haven't decided yet what to do about the nominee Lee Hye-hoon."
Lee, a three-term lawmaker from the conservative bloc, was tapped by the Lee Jae Myung administration as part of a drive for political balance and cross-party outreach. Her nomination, however, has been shadowed by allegations including real estate speculation, abuse of power and harassment of aides, inheritance tax evasion and preferential treatment in her child's military service.
The main opposition People Power Party boycotted a confirmation hearing scheduled for Monday, blocking the nominee from addressing the allegations.
President Lee, however, said the confirmation hearing should proceed so the nominee can address the allegations.
"There are issues that appear problematic, and there are points the public clearly finds troubling," he said. "I also have my own reservations. But shouldn't we at least hear the nominee's explanation? That would be fair."