DP’s Lee promises pragmatic diplomacy, stronger trilateral ties with U.S. and Japan

Presidential hopefuls have now ushered in their final week of the official campaign period.

Liberal party contender Lee Jae-myung is addressing his supporters in the cities surrounding the capital Seoul today.

I have our political correspondent Shin Ha-young standing by live with details.

Ha-young it's good to have you on.

Do FILL us in.

Sunny. I'm currently in the city of Namyangju in Gyeonggi-do Province, where Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is delivering his speech.

During his rallies in the Seoul metropolitan area today, Lee aims to gain voters' support by promising to make southeastern of Gyeonggi-do Province a better place with improved access to education, housing, and transportation.

Earlier today, Lee met with college students in Suwon to hear about the challenges they face with school and finding jobs.

Lee said it's a serious problem that young people are worried about housing and stressed the need for more public dormitories. Take a listen.

"It's a real problem that students have to worry about housing. The government should step up and use unused campus land to build more public dormitories."

Lee also pointed out issues including high meal costs, and emphasized the need to expand programs like the one-thousand won meals.

Ha-young I hear Lee also shared pledges to advance foreign policy.

Do tell us more.

Sure, Sunny. Lee Jae-myung today pledged to strengthen South Korea's diplomacy and security to protect national interests amid a rapidly changing international order.

He said he would pursue pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests, based on a strong South Korea-U.S. alliance.

Lee added that he would work to rebuild trust in the alliance, which he says was damaged by a declaration of martial law.

He also emphasized close trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan, while maintaining a firm stance toward Tokyo when it comes to historical issues.

Here's what Lee said about bilateral cooperation with Japan.

"We need to take a principled stance on historical and territorial issues. At the same time, areas like security, the economy, society, and culture shouldn't be overly restricted because of the historical and territorial issues. While it's not easy to separate these issues, we should approach other areas in a practical way that looks toward the future."

On China, Lee described it as an "important trading partner" and highlighted the need for stable Seoul-Beijing relations.

Meanwhile, regarding North Korea, Lee aims to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and achieve peace through denuclearization.

He said Pyongyang's nuclear threats can no longer be ignored and vowed to work closely with the U.S. to resolve the issue.

Lee also pledged to improve human rights for the North Korean people.

That's all for now. Back to you Sunny.

All right Ha-young as always thank you for that coverage of the liberal camp.