President Lee: "Working Several Times Harder Than Before to Protect Korea's National Interest... Responsibility to Prevent Disappointment"

【Financial News Tokyo (Japan) = Reporter Seo Young-jun】 President Lee Jae-myung commented on the Korea-US summit on the 24th, saying, "Now is a time when national and self-centered perspectives are excessive, so we too must strive to protect the national interest of Korea, requiring several times more effort than in the past."
President Lee held a meeting on the plane moving from Japan to the United States on this day and said, "International trade and diplomatic security situations have changed a lot. Until recently, there was some leeway in diplomacy," he said.
President Lee said, "Because it is difficult to meet all our demands, we must ensure that the national interest of Korea is not damaged and maximized, which is why such matters are difficult," adding, "Although the situation has changed, it is objectively true that our position has become much more difficult than in the past, but I believe that overcoming even such difficulties and protecting Korea's national interest to create a better situation is my job, and I think it will happen."
Furthermore, President Lee said, "What to discuss in the meeting with President Trump is something you can roughly guess," adding, "Security issues, defense cost issues, tariff negotiation issues, and many other things are being predicted."
President Lee said, "Of course, as everyone knows, in summits, there are not many issues that are suddenly discussed on the spot, although there are some, but the main agenda is all discussed in detail in advance at the working level," adding, "In that process, some things are virtually settled, and there are cases where it is insufficiently settled except for minor parts, and there are parts that must be decided in dialogue between leaders."
In particular, President Lee emphasized, "Even at this moment, working-level consultations are ongoing, and we are also preparing," adding, "However, the clear thing is that Korea is also a sovereign state, and although we may not be able to meet the expectations of our sovereign people, our citizens, we must at least not disappoint them. I expect that the dialogue will not be too excessive, and I am anticipating it that way."
President Lee said, "There is always a tendency to make new demands and advantageous demands for oneself to maximize national interests," adding, "From our standpoint, we also try to propose new agendas favorable to Korea or change existing agreements to our advantage, which is not easy."
President Lee added, "However, it is not desirable to easily overturn or change an agreement that has been made."

syj@fnnews.com Reporter Seo Young-jun