Early moves by South Korea’s new president suggest a sharp ideological turn, reshaping ties
with allies and raising questions about strategic priorities.

On June 6, South Korea observed Memorial Day – a solemn national holiday honoring those who died in military service, particularly during the Korean War (1950–1953). The day traditionally includes expressions of gratitude toward South Korean, US, and UN forces who defended the nation’s democracy.

President Lee Jae-myung’s first Memorial Day address, however, drew attention for what it
omitted. There was no mention of fallen Korean or allied troops. Nor was there any reference to North Korea or its military threat – a marked shift from former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s speeches, which consistently warned against provocations from Pyongyang and emphasized defense readiness.

Instead, Lee focused his message on building a “peaceful nation,” avoiding any acknowledgment of current North Korean threats.

Then, in a baffling departure from the day’s solemn purpose, Lee used the occasion to
condemn Japanese colonial rule in the early 20th century. He vowed to eliminate a longstanding Korean saying: “Three generations suffer for resisting colonial rule, while three generations thrive by collaborating with it” – a reference to the generational hardship faced by independence fighters, contrasted with the prosperity of collaborators.

“That expression must disappear forever,” Lee declared. “And sacrifices made for the country must be properly rewarded.”

While Lee’s message may appeal to national pride, his comments felt strikingly out of place. March 1, the anniversary of Korea’s 1919 independence movement, is already a national
holiday devoted to honoring resistance against Japanese occupation. In fact, March 1 is one of only five designated national holidays in South Korea and carries even greater symbolic weight than Memorial Day. Whereas Memorial Day is solely a public holiday, March 1 holds dual status as both a national and public holiday.

Prime minister pick

Further underscoring his foreign policy shift, Lee appointed Kim Min-seok as prime minister. Kim is known for having been denied a US visa over his alleged involvement in the violent 1985 occupation of the American Cultural Center in Seoul – a student-led protest widely regarded as anti-American. (The US embassy later said the visa denial had been the result of administrative error.)

The appointment is widely seen as a clear signal that Lee’s administration is willing to
deprioritize relations with the US in favor of a foreign policy more aligned with leftist views.

Pro-China comments and domestic backlash

Lee’s foreign policy leanings were already visible during the 2024 campaign. In March of that year, he said South Korea should not involve itself in the China–Taiwan conflict. “Why does [the Yoon administration] harass China? Just say ‘xie xie’ to China and ‘xie xie’ to Taiwan,” he said, making a hand gesture of gratitude that drew laughter from the crowd.

His remarks were praised by Chinese commentators online, who called him “the smartest and most intelligent politician” in South Korea and suggested his comments would help restore economic ties with China.

In South Korea, however, the response was more critical. The opposition People Power Party accused Lee of adopting a “subservient” stance and failing to defend South Korea’s national interests.

A return to the Moon Jae-in doctrine

Lee’s early actions signal a return to the leftist foreign policy framework of former president
Moon Jae-in, characterized by engagement with North Korea and a more openly adversarial
stance toward both the US and Japan.

However, critics argue that Lee’s approach may be more confrontational and unilateral than
Moon’s, particularly amid today’s regional volatility.

Legal controversies and judicial reform push

Lee’s legal record raises serious questions about his character and judgment. He
has had four convictions: impersonating a prosecutor, drunk driving, violation of election laws and obstruction of official duties and damage to public property, and violating election laws.

Currently, Lee is on trial for multiple charges, including election law violations, inducement of perjury, corruption in the Daejang-dong development project, illegal remittance to North Korea and misuse of public funds.

Amid these legal battles, Lee’s Democratic Party moved swiftly to expand the number of
Supreme Court justices. On June 4, the same day as Lee’s inauguration, a subcommittee of
the National Assembly passed a bill to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 14 to 30, adding four new justices per year.

Since Lee will be appointing all 16 of the new Supreme Court justices, critics see the move as a deliberate attempt to tilt the judiciary and potentially sway the outcomes of ongoing legal cases.

Economic policy: embracing debt-fueled spending

On the economic front, Lee has embraced leftist expansionary fiscal policies. On May 22, he
advocated for increased national debt to support social welfare and economic recovery. He
dismissed debt aversion as “ignorant,” emphasizing that South Korea’s debt-to-GDP ratio –
below 50% – is modest by international standards.

Rising security threats in the West Sea

While Lee pursues ideological and economic shifts, external threats are mounting. China
recently held naval exercises in the Yellow Sea (which Koreans call the West Sea), using its third aircraft carrier, Fujian, within the Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) – a no-sail zone agreed upon in past diplomatic negotiations. South Korea protested what it called unauthorized military activities and structure installations, viewing them as infringements on maritime sovereignty.

US focus remains elsewhere

Despite repeated pledges of a “pivot to Asia,” US attention remains consumed by crises in
nearly every region except Asia. As international relations scholar John Mearsheimer bluntly put it in a recent interview: “President Trump is screwed. He is screwed on Russia, he is screwed on Iran, he’s screwed on Gaza. He has no solution to these problems.”

A pivotal and perilous moment for Korea

President Lee’s first steps reflect a decisive shift in both tone and direction for South Korea’s foreign and domestic policy. From distancing key allies to reshaping the judiciary and expanding state spending, his administration signals a clear ideological turn to the left.
Whether these moves will strengthen South Korea’s autonomy or undermine its strategic
position remains to be seen.

As regional tensions escalate and traditional alliances are strained, South Korea may be
entering one of its most precarious strategic eras since the Cold War.

Hanjin Lew, a political commentator specializing in East Asian affairs, is a former international spokesman for South Korean conservative parties.