Lee Jae Myung's 'pragmatic diplomacy' stands at start of difficult journey

June 23 (UPI) -- "Let's cooperate beyond our differences -- as neighbors who share a front yard."

When South Korean President Lee Jae Myung made this remark to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during their first summit meeting on June 17, few believed it signaled a real shift. Skepticism abounded in both Seoul and Tokyo.

Many observers predicted that Lee's ascent to power would strain the fragile relationship between the two nations. Was this the face of his so-called "pragmatic diplomacy"?

A day earlier, on June 16, Lee delivered a video message to a reception in Seoul commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan. In it, he affirmed his commitment to continued bilateral cooperation, drawing immediate attention to his evolving stance on Japan -- a subject that has long been a source of political contention.

At the time, many observers remained skeptical, viewing the remarks as little more than diplomatic niceties. Yet, in pledging to pursue a "stable and future-oriented development of Korea-Japan relations," Lee made his first public declaration of a pragmatic diplomatic agenda, marking an unexpected turn.

Just two days later, at the G7 summit in Canada, that commitment was reaffirmed during his summit with Ishiba, solidifying what now appears to be a carefully considered diplomatic philosophy.

The two leaders agreed to resume shuttle diplomacy, and Lee emphasized the need to manage historical disputes while actively building a forward-looking partnership.

Furthermore, the summit underscored a broader strategic alignment by reaffirming the trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan.

Far from rolling back the previous administration's policy direction, Lee appeared to be expanding and deepening it. That this was not mere political theater became evident on June 18, when South Korea, the United States and Japan conducted a joint aerial military drill south of Jeju Island.

The exercise involved South Korea's F-15s, the U.S. Air Force's F-16s and Japan's F-2 fighters. It was the first such joint drill under Lee's administration.

North Korea responded the next day by launching more than 10 artillery rockets, signaling its displeasure.

It was a truly unexpected development -- one that caught many people by surprise, given how sharply it contrasted with the positions Lee had taken during his tenure as opposition leader.

Perhaps the most striking example was the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol, led by Lee's Democratic Party.

One of the key charges cited Yoon's foreign policy -- specifically, his embrace of what was labeled "values-based diplomacy."

The section of the December 2024 motion addressing foreign affairs read: "Under the guise of so-called values-based diplomacy, [the president] pursued policies that disregarded geopolitical balance, antagonized North Korea, China and Russia, adhered to an abnormal Japan-centric foreign policy, and appointed pro-Japan figures to key government positions -- thereby isolating South Korea in Northeast Asia and heightening the risk of war ...."

The impeachment language caused concern in Washington and Tokyo.

A scheduled meeting between the U.S. ambassador and then-opposition leader Lee was abruptly canceled. Many feared that if Lee became president, years of carefully built trilateral trust could be undone.

Though the language was later removed from a revised impeachment draft, the damage to Lee's international reputation lingered.

Lee's confrontational stance toward Japan was not new.

In March 2023, he condemned the Yoon administration's compensation plan for wartime forced labor victims as "a humiliating attempt to appease Japan at any cost."

When Japan announced the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant in August 2023, Lee declared that it would be remembered as "a second Pacific War."

Given this record, it is unsurprising that conservatives in South Korea and many in Japan viewed Lee with deep suspicion. To them, his anti-Japan and anti-U.S. positions seemed deeply ingrained. Few believed his campaign rhetoric would shift dramatically in office.

Yet, upon assuming the presidency, Lee unveiled a new diplomatic posture under the banner of"pragmatic diplomacy." Rather than allowing historical disputes to dominate the agenda, he signaled a pivot to future-focused cooperation.

During his remarks at the bilateral summit in Canada, Lee said, "I hope Korea and Japan can build a better, forward-looking relationship." Citing global economic challenges, he extended an olive branch: "Cooperation will benefit us both."

Ishiba responded by acknowledging the symbolic weight of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization between South Korea and Japan, expressing hope that "bilateral cooperation and coordination will grow into a relationship that contributes more meaningfully to both the region and the world."

Lee's adoption of a two-track approach -- separating historical issues from present and future areas of cooperation -- appeared to ease lingering Japanese doubts. In what seemed to be a gesture of reciprocity, Ishiba personally attended the anniversary event hosted by South Korea in Tokyo just two days after the summit.

There, he remarked, "Given the increasingly severe strategic environment surrounding both Japan and Korea, it is time for us to join hands and take a new step toward abetter future."

Ishiba's remarks echoed President Lee's earlier appeal for cooperation amid the mounting challenges in global trade and international relations. Taken together, the two leaders' statements suggest that Lee's brand of pragmatic diplomacy is not confined to bilateral ties alone, but extends to multilateral considerations grounded in the broader geopolitical landscape.

Moreover, Ishiba attended the commemorative ceremony accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwai, and about 100 lawmakers -- among them former Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida and Yoshihide Suga, who now serves as head of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary Friendship League.

Japanese media described the gesture as extraordinary and a sign of Ishiba's strong commitment to improving ties with South Korea. This renewed momentum suggests continuity with the spirit of the 2023 Camp DavidDeclaration, which institutionalized trilateral cooperation among the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

For President Donald Trump, now leading an administration focused on countering China-strong Korea-Japan relations are critical.

Still, one summit does not guarantee smooth sailing. Numerous contentious issues remain.

These include the territorial dispute over Dokdo/Takeshima, the controversy surrounding memorial ceremonies for victims of Japan's wartime forced labor, and recurring visits by Japanese officials to the Yasukuni Shrine. Any one of these could undermine progress. Furthermore, geopolitical forces such as China may seek to drive a wedge between Seoul and Tokyo.

Despite encouraging signals, Lee's "pragmatic diplomacy" has yet to earn full trust. Without sustained resolve and consistent action, his ambitious vision may falter when confronted with inevitable challenges.

That is why, today, Lee's diplomacy stands not as a culmination -- but at the very beginning -- of a long and difficult journey.