Seoul: Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of South Korea's progressive Democratic Party, has underscored the strategic significance of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) in the United States' efforts to contain China, amid speculation that the Trump administration might reduce American military presence in the region.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee highlighted in an interview with U.S. magazine TIME that the U.S. troops stationed in Korea play a pivotal role in Washington's containment policy against China. This statement follows a report by The Wall Street Journal suggesting that the U.S. is considering withdrawing approximately 4,500 troops, or 16 percent of the USFK, and reallocating them within the Indo-Pacific region. However, both Seoul and Washington have dismissed these claims, with the Pentagon reiterating its full commitment to South Korea's defense.
TIME also noted a shift in Lee's stance, as he moves towards a more pro-U.S. position in his election campaign, having been previously perceived as more China-friendly. Lee is currently a leading contender in the upcoming June 3 presidential election, holding a significant lead in opinion polls with 49.2 percent support compared to Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, who stands at 36.8 percent.
Lee has also expressed support for former President Trump's North Korean policies, commending Trump's approach to dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as beneficial for peace in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. He downplayed concerns about South Korea's exclusion from future dialogues, asserting that it would be structurally challenging to exclude Seoul, even if direct Trump-Kim negotiations resume.
On the topic of Korea-Japan relations, Lee reiterated his call for a more complete apology from Japan for its colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945. He stated that Japan's refusal to acknowledge its past and offer a sincere apology continues to affect Koreans deeply.
In terms of trade policy, Lee committed to pursuing "reasonable and rational" discussions with the U.S. to address tariff issues. South Korea seeks exemptions or reductions from the Trump administration's 25 percent reciprocal tariffs, as well as sectoral tariffs on steel, automobiles, and other imports, aiming to finalize a comprehensive trade package by early July.