Foreign policy: What South Korea’s presidential hopefuls are promising

Indeed the candidates will be sharing their thoughts on defense and diplomatic strategies during their debate tonight but ahead of that four-way discussion my colleague Kim Jung-sil took the liberty of preparing for us a quick rundown of the foreign policies of the top three presidential contenders.

Do take a listen.

In the final stretch of the presidential race, foreign policy may not be driving the race at home, but outside South Korea, eyes are on how the next president will navigate the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung favors a pragmatic, multi-layered strategy.

His foreign policy centers on a strong ROK-U.S. alliance, while expanding diplomatic engagement with China, Japan, and Russia.

"With a strong ROK-U.S. alliance, I'll lead a pragmatic, national-interest-based diplomacy to expand South Korea's global role and secure lasting peace."

He also backs the return of wartime operational control from the current U.S.-led command structure to South Korea, and phased nuclear talks with the North.

By contrast, People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo takes a tougher line.

He argues that in a region surrounded by constant threats, diplomacy must be backed by credible deterrence.

"If the U.S. forces were gone, how would we deal with China? With North Korea? How would a divided nation like ours, surrounded by Japan and Russia, and facing the worst geopolitical conditions ever, handle the North's nuclear threat?"

Kim also supports reviewing tactical nuclear deployments if North Korea's threats escalate.

At the same time, he backs developing nuclear-powered submarines to counter North Korea's SLBM-capable subs, citing India and Australia as precedents.

Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok has yet to lay out a full foreign policy platform.

But his defense proposals focus on internal reform: expanding officer recruitment through conscript performance, and linking military service to academic support.

With global uncertainty mounting, South Korea's next president will be expected to act swiftly, whether through alliances, deterrence, or reform.

And with just a week left before the vote, the country's foreign policy future remains wide open.

Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.