Liberal presidential hopeful Lee Jae-myung has stressed the urgency of reviving inter-Korean dialogue, despite current obstacles. Speaking in Suwon on Monday, Lee acknowledged that a summit with North Korea remains difficult under present conditions. Yet he insisted that improving ties with Pyongyang must be a national priority. “It’s not about plans—it’s a task we must complete,” he told reporters. However, Lee warned that hosting a summit would be challenging unless the political climate shifts.
Lee, representing the Democratic Party of Korea, blames former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s hard-line stance for worsening relations. He pledged to restore inter-Korean dialogue and stabilize the Korean Peninsula if elected. So far, there have only been five bilateral summits between Seoul and Pyongyang. The last occurred in 2018 under former President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un. Lee believes another summit remains possible but hinges on rebuilding trust.
During his campaign, Lee emphasized that restoring communication lines and halting provocative acts near the border are essential. He called for mutually beneficial exchanges between the two Koreas to reduce tension and encourage peace. On Facebook, he declared that South Korea cannot tolerate Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal much longer. Although denuclearization remains stalled, Lee still views inter-Korean dialogue as the best available path. He promised to win public support through practical diplomacy and economic cooperation.
Lee also suggested he could work with U.S. President Donald Trump if Trump restarts negotiations with North Korea. Moreover, Lee highlighted the need to institutionalize civilian control over the military to rebuild public trust. “In advanced nations, civilians manage the military—it’s not a radical idea,” Lee noted online. He hinted at possibly appointing a civilian defense minister, breaking with South Korean tradition. This message aligns with his broader push for reform and transparency in governance.
Beyond the Peninsula, Lee vowed to repair diplomatic ties with China and Russia, strained under Yoon’s pro-U.S. tilt. He said national security and economic stability demand practical engagement with Beijing and Moscow. According to adviser Wi Sung-lac, Seoul must manage these relationships moderately without abandoning core alliances. Still, Wi reaffirmed that the U.S. and Japan would remain South Korea’s foreign policy anchors. Inter-Korean dialogue, Lee maintains, must happen alongside broader diplomatic balance.
Meanwhile, conservative rival Kim Moon-soo unveiled a defense-heavy foreign policy anchored in closer U.S. military cooperation. He promised to develop nuclear-powered submarines to counter North Korea’s growing threats. Kim also rejected any downsizing of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea, warning it would invite aggression. In a Facebook post, he criticized any troop reduction plans reportedly considered by Trump’s administration. The U.S. military, however, denied the report, affirming its strong alliance with South Korea.
As the presidential race intensifies, voters must weigh two starkly different visions for peace and security. Lee Jae-myung champions inter-Korean dialogue, civilian oversight, and regional diplomacy. Kim Moon-soo prioritizes military deterrence and tighter U.S. defense ties. Both promise stability, but only one path will shape South Korea’s future. The stakes surrounding inter-Korean dialogue have never been higher.
