DP leader calls for unity, says Seoul could be bypassed in potential Pyongyang-Washington talks

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DP leader calls for unity, says Seoul could be bypassed in potential Pyongyang-Washington talks

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during his New Year's press conference at the National Assembly in western Seoul on Jan. 23. [YONHAP]

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during his New Year's press conference at the National Assembly in western Seoul on Jan. 23. [YONHAP]

 
Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung said Thursday that Seoul could be bypassed in potential dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang and that it would be important to convince the North to return to talks for a path conducive to global peace.
 
During his New Year’s conference at the National Assembly in western Seoul, Lee said Seoul and Pyongyang shared a consensus to denuclearize the entire Korean Peninsula. While noting that the consensus has not yet been realized, the DP leader said his party should devise various countermeasures regarding North Korea, considering multiple scenarios as the official position of the second Trump administration is unclear at the moment.  
 
When asked whether Lee acknowledges the North as an official nuclear state, Lee said, “It appeared that the U.S. government has not yet announced its official stance.”   
 

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Lee’s remarks seemingly indicate that his party would wait until newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump makes an official statement despite his brief mention of Kim as a "nuclear power" on Monday. Lee promised to ensure the party could respond to any position the U.S. government takes. 
 
Lee also said he is deeply concerned about the possibility that Washington and Pyongyang would bypass Seoul if they resume denuclearization talks. Yet, he noted such a concern could be solved through politics, adding that there is “always a solution when it comes to affairs between people.”  
 
“The basic premise is that South Korea would bolster deterrence against North Korea based on strong military and defense capabilities,” the DP leader said. Noting that the power-based approach would "not be enough," he said the country should also "seek a path based on dialogue and communication which can later benefit all people.”  
 
Lee Jae-myung, left, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, shakes hands with acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun at the National Assembly on Jan. 22. [NEWS1]

Lee Jae-myung, left, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, shakes hands with acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun at the National Assembly on Jan. 22. [NEWS1]

Regarding domestic politics and Korean society, Lee urged people to set aside their political beliefs to overcome the issues facing Korea and achieve economic growth during his New Year’s press conference.

 
The DP leader said “realistic pragmatism based on post-ideological behavior" — where people are not bound by specific political orientations — is key to overcoming the crisis and driving growth. Lee stressed that “recovery and growth are the most pressing issues in the current era.”
 
Addressing the current political uncertainty and the fallout from impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law imposition, Lee said the torment and chaos are challenges to be faced before entering a brighter world with a new order and new opportunities.

 
Lee said Yoon’s insurrection still “shadows” the country, adding that his martial law decree marked the first insurrection, and the extremists' violent actions — seemingly referring to Sunday’s courthouse storming — represented the second.  
 
However, the DP leader said that Koreans have prevented their history from regressing. He likened public resistance against Yoon and martial law to a “peaceful revolution of light.” Lee said the nation “should end barbaric insurrection and disturbance in accordance with the Constitution and pursue a new path of hope.”

 
Regarding his economic initiative, Lee said that the government should support the private sector and corporations by removing obstacles that have hindered business activities. “From an era where the government holds full authority, we need to open an era where the private sector leads the economy, centering on their expertise and creativity,” Lee said. 
 
Lee called for advancing the country’s capital market by “resolving the Korea discount” — the relative undervaluation of Korean stocks in the exchange market. He also suggested that sales diplomacy could help expand Korea’s global economic reach. He said that the nation should strengthen its strategic partnership with the United States, particularly in the semiconductor, battery and energy industries.

 
Later, when asked about recent poll results showing higher public support for the conservative People Power Party than for the DP, Lee said his party “humbly accepts” the results. “Our party believes that the public has high expectations for the DP’s role in Yoon’s arrest and impeachment trial.”
 
Regarding his party’s stance on the Korea-U.S. alliance, Lee said the DP has consistently supported strengthening the alliance. He added that the United States shares values of democracy and freedom with Korea.
 
When asked about the DP’s recent comments on censoring messages on KakaoTalk — a widely used messaging platform in Korea — to combat the spread of disinformation, Lee said the term “censorship” was inappropriate. Lee said that extremists believe in “fake news,” and spreading such misinformation could distort people’s understanding and prevent them from making informed judgments. He argued that such actions could constitute a material crime that violates one’s sovereign rights to make the right decision.
 
Update, Jan. 23: Headline and lede changed and Lee's remarks about North Korea added. 

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [[email protected]]
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