President Lee warns ‘diplomatic achievements will evaporate if we are divided at home,’ urges cooperation from ruling and opposition parties

[Financial News] On the 15th, following a series of recent summit diplomacy engagements with China and Japan, President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea called on the political community for bipartisan cooperation, warning that “if we become divided and antagonistic at home, it will be impossible to protect our national interests against external headwinds, and the hard-won achievements of our diplomacy will clearly end up coming to nothing.”
In his opening remarks at the 19th Senior Presidential Aides’ Meeting, held that afternoon at Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee said, “Since the beginning of the year, the global situation has been in turmoil, particularly in Latin America and the Middle East,” adding, “Through a series of summit meetings with our neighboring countries, China and Japan, we have achieved meaningful results in further expanding the horizons of economic and cultural cooperation.”
He went on to stress, “The more uncertainty grows in the international order, the more crucial peace and stability in our region become,” and added, “Pragmatic diplomacy grounded in wisdom—one that seeks points of balance amid conflict and expands mutually beneficial common ground based on mutual respect and understanding—is more important now than ever.”
Addressing the political community in particular, President Lee said, “At this moment, the role of domestic politics is heavier than ever,” noting that “the government, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, and the ruling and opposition parties alike are joint bearers of responsibility, entrusted by the sovereign people to manage state affairs.” He then urged, “Please rise above minor differences, embody a spirit of responsible politics that puts the national interest first, and join forces on the path that serves the lives of our people and the future of our country.”
President Lee also pointed out that “the success or failure of policy is determined not on the desks of public officials but in the lives of the people,” adding, “Policies that look plausible on paper but fail to meaningfully improve everyday life are nothing more than empty armchair theories, devoid of soul and vitality.”
As a representative example, President Lee cited the “Just Dream” program. He said, “Although it did not receive budget funding under the previous administration, we made maximum use of public–private cooperation and were able to launch it early, starting last year,” and continued, “It has become a major support for people struggling to make ends meet in the depths of winter, has been well received on the ground, and we are now receiving many requests to expand the number of participating sites.” He then instructed, “Actively identify and reward outstanding, tangible, people-centered policies that are producing real effects, and spread them throughout the entire public sector.”
He also called for thorough preparedness in wildfire response and for strengthening the winter safety net for people’s livelihoods. “Last year, Uiseong County suffered devastating damage from wildfires, and another wildfire broke out there again last week,” President Lee said. “Fortunately, it was brought under control at an early stage, but similar cases can occur at any time,” he warned. He added, “Once a wildfire breaks out, efforts are inevitably focused on preventing further spread, so it is crucial to prevent such fires from occurring in the first place,” directing officials to “ensure that wildfire prevention and firefighting systems are fully in place.”
Regarding support for vulnerable groups during the winter, President Lee stressed, “We must not simply sit back and wait; proactive and active administration that seeks out and supports people in need is desperately required,” adding, “The lives of countless citizens depend on the attitude of each and every public official.” He continued, “Depending on your attention and attitude, someone may live or die, and someone’s business may thrive or fail. Do not forget this fact, and carry out your duties with a strong sense of responsibility and pride.”
west@fnnews.com Seong Seok-woo Reporter