President Lee Says "Security with the U.S. and Economy with China" Has Lost Its Validity; South Korea to Take Direct Responsibility for Economy Cooperation with the U.S. and Security

[Financial News Rome, Italy = Choi Jong-geun]President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to Italy, said on the 11th local time that the so-called "security with the U.S. and economy with China" approach has lost its validity amid recent changes in the geopolitical environment. He stressed stronger economic cooperation with the United States, saying that expanding ties into advanced sectors would help enhance South Korea's industrial competitiveness and economic sophistication. He also said South Korea would build the capability to take direct responsibility for its own security. As part of that effort, he noted, the South Korean government is pursuing the return of wartime operational control and expanded defense investment.
Lee made the remarks in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, published on the same day, while touring Europe to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit.
Lee said, "Rather than trying to maintain a balance between the United States and China, South Korea seeks a new approach based on its national interests and a multifaceted understanding of competition, cooperation and challenges."
He added, "China is South Korea's largest trading partner and an essential supply chain partner. At the same time, it is true that competition between the two countries has intensified because China's industrial competitiveness and advanced technologies are becoming more sophisticated."
Lee said, "The alliance with the United States remains the cornerstone of South Korea's diplomacy, but we aim to deepen and develop the alliance in line with the times and reality, while strengthening self-reliance and promoting solidarity with various countries."
He continued, "Self-reliance means becoming a capable partner that takes responsibility for its own security, not a dependent ally. This is also in line with the direction of the alliance that the United States wants. To that end, the South Korean government is pushing ahead with the return of wartime operational control to our military and higher defense spending."
Meanwhile, Lee will hold a summit with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on the day, followed by a joint press statement and a state dinner. On the 12th, he is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and attend an MoU signing ceremony.
Regarding the South Korea-Italy summit, Lee said, "The two countries are seeking to elevate their relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership. As a key G7 and EU member with a close network among major European countries, Italy can help ensure that our commitment to strengthening South Korea-EU relations is widely shared across Europe."
He added, "In cooperation on future industries such as AI, quantum, space and energy transition, Italy can serve as a partner that helps South Korea in Europe, while South Korea can play a similar role for Italy in East Asia. The '2026-2030 Strategic Action Plan' that the two countries will agree on this time is intended to institutionalize future-oriented cooperation between South Korea and Italy, and it could serve as a model for cooperation between South Korea and other European countries."
He also said, "During this visit, based on the shared understanding of the need for development in Africa, the two countries plan to sign the Korea-Italy Development Cooperation MoU and pursue development cooperation projects that can create synergies between the two sides. For South Korea, strengthening ties with Italy will go beyond a simple bilateral relationship and make an important contribution to expanding strategic cooperation with Europe. South Korea is also ready to actively cooperate as Italy's important partner in cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region."
Meanwhile, Lee is scheduled to carry out his state visit program in Italy through the 13th. Earlier, as Code One entered Italian airspace after departing Brussels, two Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the Italian Air Force escorted it from the side in a gesture of courtesy.
cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter