Lee Jong-seok vows pragmatic diplomacy as new South Korea spy chief, bringing decades of experience on inter-Korean affairs. At his confirmation hearing on June 19, he stressed building a peaceful and secure nation through cooperation and strong defence. He pledged to support a foreign policy rooted in pragmatism and national interest. Lee told The Korea Herald that reducing tensions and restoring dialogue with North Korea remained a public demand. His appointment signals a shift towards more balanced diplomacy in the region.
Lee Jong-seok vows pragmatic diplomacy as new South Korea spy chief, drawing from his background as a top strategist. He previously served as unification minister and deputy national security adviser under the late President Roh Moo-hyun. During Roh’s presidency, Lee oversaw key efforts in inter-Korean cooperation before stepping down after North Korea’s 2006 nuclear test. At the hearing, lawmakers questioned the value of past economic aid to North Korea. Lee argued that such aid helped ease tensions, although critics warned it may have funded weapons development.
A respected scholar of North Korea for over 30 years, Lee has deep knowledge of the ruling Workers’ Party. He worked at major institutions like the Sejong Institute and served as an adviser to defence and unification ministries. Lee also taught at Beijing University, further strengthening his diplomatic credentials. At the hearing, he rejected labels like “North Korea dove,” instead calling himself a committed pragmatist. He reaffirmed his belief in practical, interest-based approaches to security and diplomacy.
Lawmakers scrutinised Lee’s past statements, including comments on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Lee called Kim a dictator when asked directly during the hearing. He also addressed concerns over missile defence and intelligence-sharing agreements. Lee stressed that new THAAD deployments required careful consideration of national interests.
Regarding GSOMIA with Japan, he said the agreement should be respected as it already exists. Lee Jong-seok vows pragmatic diplomacy as new South Korea spy chief, with substantial hands-on experience in the North. He has visited North Korea 13 times, including key summits and joint projects. His first visit was in 2000 for an inter-Korean summit. He returned frequently in 2006 as unification minister and again in 2018 for railway cooperation talks.
Such extensive contact informs his pragmatic approach to future relations with Pyongyang. Lee shares a long history with President Lee Jae-myung. They first connected in 2010, when Lee Jae-myung became mayor of Seongnam. Lee later worked with him on inter-Korean projects in various public roles. He also played central roles in both the 2022 and 2025 presidential campaigns. Lee Jong-seok vows pragmatic diplomacy as new South Korea spy chief, with deep ties to the nation’s leadership.
