Lee Jae-myung's "pragmatic diplomacy" begins, adapting to Washington's change of alliance approach

Amid the flurry of first phone calls, and preparations for President Lee Jae-myung's diplomatic debut at the G7, it seems South Korea's bureaucracy is quickly moving to support the new administration's so-called pragmatic diplomacy --even without a new foreign minister having been named.

Oh Soo-young has more.

South Korea's new diplomatic doctrine under President Lee Jae-myung is quickly taking shape -and pragmatism is the keyword.

Since his electoral campaign, Lee has repeatedly emphasised that while the Korea-U.S. alliance remains the "foundation" of Seoul's foreign policy,.. he intends to pursue a broader, more flexible diplomatic course — that does not shy away from engagement with China and Russia.

Analysts say Lee's approach marks a notable shift from the previous Yoon Suk Yeol government's diplomacy, which aligned with former President Joe Biden's value-based cooperation with allies.

Legislator Kim Joon-hyung, a former advisor to Moon Jae-in and former head of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, frames it this way:

"Yoon Suk Yeol said it was value-based diplomacy but in fact it is like almost like a Cold War kind of ideological camp --let's say, U.S.-Korea-Japan is the good side and North Korea, China, and Iran, Russia --these aren't. So divided into two worlds. So that means strategic war. By saying pragmatism, Lee's trying to go for national interests rather than ideological right and wrong things."

Pragmatism is also needed, to reflect the shifting geopolitical reality.

With the Trump administration's transactional approach to alliances resurfacing, South Korea faces hard bargaining over defense cost-sharing, 방위비 분담, trade, and industrial policy.

"His target is more like old friends and allies, and by saying that he set it tariff so that means now is a payback time, so you should pay tariff to make trade relation more fair and he wants to correct the security umbrella so it's not free anymore. So these are, of course, not just Korea other allies in the whole world, but most upgraded or highest level of alliance is Korea Japan and NATO."

To navigate such shifting dynamics, the Lee administration is signaling its desire to widen diplomatic options.

In her inauguration speech on Wednesday, newly appointed Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina emphasized collaboration with diverse players beyond Seoul's traditional partners.

She said this would help reduce dependence on specific countries and contribute to securing autonomy and flexibility in Korea's diplomacy.

With immediate challenges to address, the Lee administration this week appointed the first and second deputy foreign ministers,.. before it names a new foreign minister, which requires parliamentary approval.

This, according to experts, signals the Lee administration's intention to swiftly coordinate and initiate policy, in accordance with the pragmatic diplomacy mantra,.. ahead of impending negotiations with the U.S., and global engagements, including at the G7 Summit starting June 15th.

Oh Sooyoung, Arirang News.