Concerns Behind U.S. Secretary of State's Congratulations on Lee Jae-myung's Election as South Korean President

American Secretary of State Rubio congratulated Lee Jae-myung on his election as President of South Korea today (June 4th). Rubio said, "The United States congratulates President-elect Lee Jae-myung on his election as the 14th President of South Korea. We will continue to deepen trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea."

However, from a practical perspective, there may be concerns hidden behind the United States' congratulations for Lee Jae-myung. The U.S. is concerned that Lee Jae-myung may take a path completely different from Yoon Suk-yeol. Lee Jae-myung may return to the foreign policy guidelines of the Moon Jae-in era, not taking sides between China and the United States but instead striving for South Korea's maximum interests. In terms of relations with North Korea, Lee Jae-myung will not harbor animosity towards the North Korean regime like Yoon Suk-yeol, which will help ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. However, Lee Jae-myung's choices will be crucial for the trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Whether joint military exercises between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea will continue will become an important indicator of Lee Jae-myung's policy direction.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833982571493443/

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