Seoul: Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung stated on Sunday that he would pursue a pragmatic foreign policy toward China, addressing criticisms from his opponents who have labeled him “pro-China.”

According to Yonhap News Agency, during a televised debate, Lee responded to a query from Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party regarding his past comments suggesting South Korea should simply say “xie xie” (thank you in Chinese) to both China and Taiwan, and avoid taking sides in their dispute. Lee emphasized that South Korea must prioritize its national interest and avoid becoming overly involved in the China-Taiwan conflict. He suggested respecting the status quo and maintaining an appropriate distance.

Lee, who is leading the polls for the June 3 election with approximately 50 percent support, argued that labeling him as “pro-China” is an “inappropriate” characterization. When pressed about whether he would support intervention in a potential China-Taiwan contingency, Lee refrained from giving a definitive answer, stressing the need for a flexible, situational approach to such matters. He highlighted the importance of assessing each situation based on the national interest, acknowledging the fluid nature of diplomatic relations.

Furthermore, Lee reaffirmed the significance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance but insisted that diplomacy with other major powers like China and Russia should be handled prudently, guided by “pragmatism” and the “national interest.” He underscored the necessity of maintaining the South Korea-U.S. alliance as the foundation of the country’s diplomacy and security while cautioning against relying solely on one partnership.