South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung Takes Office, Vows North Korea Engagement

South Korea's newly inaugurated President Lee Jae-myung has vowed to heal the nation's divisions and pursue peace on the Korean Peninsula by reopening dialogue with nuclear-armed North Korea, emphasizing that peace is preferable despite potential costs. While urging military readiness against possible provocations, Lee intends to deter North Korean threats through strong deterrence backed by the South Korea-US alliance and to resume communication channels without preconditions. Lee also highlighted significant economic challenges, warning that rising global protectionism and supply chain restructuring, exacerbated by US tariffs on South Korean steel and aluminum under President Donald Trump's administration, threaten the export-dependent economy. Despite past criticisms suggesting Lee might pivot toward China and North Korea, he reaffirmed his commitment to strengthen trilateral cooperation with the US and Japan. His election, succeeding the ousted conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol, follows political turmoil including a failed martial law attempt and reflects a mandate for pragmatic diplomacy and economic resilience. International leaders, including Japan's Prime Minister, have expressed interest in engaging with Lee to enhance regional ties.