Seoul
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday pledged to place national interests at the center of his foreign policy as he prepares for crucial summits with US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Speaking at a meeting with senior aides before departing for Tokyo, Lee said diplomacy must focus on “the lasting interests of the nation and all Korean people” rather than personal or political gains. His Tokyo summit with Ishiba will be followed by talks with Trump in Washington on August 25.
Lee promised to pursue “mutually beneficial” policies amid global shifts in trade and security, vowing to seek practical solutions for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. He asked the public for support in shaping stable foreign relations with both Washington and Tokyo.
Beyond diplomacy, Lee addressed pressing domestic challenges, particularly South Korea’s high suicide rates, which remain the highest among OECD countries. Calling suicide a “social disaster,” he ordered the creation of an intergovernmental body dedicated to prevention and mental health support. The president stressed the need for a comprehensive policy shift to reduce deaths and provide stronger assistance for vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok underlined the importance of improving ties with Japan, describing bilateral relations as “very important” with wide opportunities for cooperation. His remarks came as Japanese delegates visited Seoul for the Korea-Japan Forum, just ahead of Lee’s Tokyo trip.
With back-to-back summits and domestic reforms in focus, Lee emphasized that his administration will balance diplomacy and internal challenges while keeping national interest as the guiding principle.
