South Korea's new President Lee: Departure for the peaceful North Korea approach!

South Korea's new President Lee: Departure for the peaceful North Korea approach!

Südkorea - On June 4, 2025, Lee took office in South Korea as the new president after winning the presidential election with 49.4 percent of the vote. His conservative rival Kim Moon-Soo admitted his defeat with 41.2 percent. The election victory came after the previous head of state Yoon Suk-Yeol was deducted due to a controversial declaration of war law. Lee announced a double strategy compared to North Korea, which includes measures to defend provocations and the opening of communication channels. He asked the South Korean army to remain on standby for possible provocations from Pyongyang. Relationships between North and South Korea are tense, and both countries have been formally in war since the Korean War in 1953.

The United States has stationed tens of thousands of soldiers in South Korea to protect the country. At the same time, South Korea is faced with an economic challenge. Shortly before Lee’s taking office, the United States announced a doubling of the import duties to 50 percent for South Korea's steel and aluminum exports. Since the country is heavily dependent on exports, these tariffs will be particularly painful.

strategies against dependencies

The new South Korean government team under Lee intends to reduce the dependence on Chinese raw materials. According to a comprehensive strategy that has already been initiated by previous governments, South Korea is pursuing the goal of reducing import addiction to 185 critical products to 50 percent by 2030. These products include nickel-cobalt mansion precursors, lithium hydroxide and electrolytes for secondary batteries. A ten-point plan should implement measures to self-sufficiency and diversify imports and establish an early warning system for crisis reaction.

The government is already planning the first measures to implement this strategy and also increases cooperation with the EU, especially in the battery and semiconductor industry. China's commercial share of South Korean exports fell under 20 percent in 2023, while direct investments in the United States have been almost $ 30 billion annually.

difficult relationships with North Korea

The situation between North and South Korea has increased more recently. North Korea has fully hired the economic cooperation with South Korea and lifted all corresponding agreements. This was confirmed by the North Korean news agency KCNA. South Korea's former President Yoon Suk-Yeol was surprised by this decision and expressed the willingness to approach North Korea.

Nevertheless, North Korea, its gun development, including the tactical nuclear weapons, plans to expand. This is done in a context in which South Korea, Japan and the United States strengthen their defense cooperation and hold joint military exercises. The conditions between the two countries, which are still separated by a 248 -kilometer -long demilitarized zone, remain tense, while the world looks at the next steps of the new South Korean President Lee.