NICE — President Lee Jae-myung said close cooperation among countries that share common values such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law is important, responding to French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal for what has been described as a coalition of independent nations. His remarks were read as signaling that South Korea will strengthen existing alliances while expanding pragmatic cooperation with countries that share its values and interests, rather than relying one-sidedly on major powers such as the United States and China.
French daily Le Monde published the written interview, conducted ahead of Lee's visit to France from the 6th to the 9th, on the 6th.
Le Monde said Macron had proposed a coalition of independent nations keeping some distance from major powers such as the U.S. and China when he visited South Korea in April and, citing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, said countries that do not seek hegemony and that are concerned about the current unpredictable situation could work together. In response, the paper reported, Lee said close cooperation among countries sharing common values such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law is important.
Lee added that South Korea is strengthening solidarity based on pragmatic and open cooperation with countries capable of taking concrete action in specific areas, and that it seeks to reinforce existing alliances while building up its own capacity to secure its national security.
Lee took the same line on the South Korea-U.S. alliance. He said recent moves by U.S. President Donald Trump reflect a will to redefine the alliance in line with the realities of a changing era, rather than an attempt to undermine its sustainability. He said South Korea is also expanding its role in the alliance by increasing defense spending and gradually strengthening military capabilities essential to its security. The comments were read as a plan to keep the alliance as the main axis while simultaneously widening South Korea's own defense capabilities and diplomatic space.
On relations with Japan, Lee reaffirmed an approach that pursues historical issues and future cooperation in parallel. "It is not the case that we can move forward together only after resolving all disputes," he said, adding that he would gradually expand cooperation starting in areas where common interests can be secured.
He stressed that the goal is to build a stable and future-oriented relationship without turning away from historical issues. He also cited the case of France and Germany, which laid the groundwork for improved relations through cooperation in coal and steel.
On the Korean Peninsula, Lee volunteered to serve as a "pacemaker" for the resumption of talks between the U.S. and North Korea. "I will play the role of a pacemaker helping to resume U.S.-North Korea dialogue," he said. "This can be a means of halting the buildup of North Korea's nuclear capabilities."
On inter-Korean relations, he said he does not believe the wall of mistrust can be torn down overnight with only a few measures, but expressed his intention to work steadily toward peaceful coexistence.
On domestic politics, Lee stressed the need for institutional reform to prevent a recurrence of political crises such as the emergency martial law declared in December 2024. "The goal is to ensure that the democracy we won at great sacrifice is never threatened again," he said.
Le Monde reported that South Korea is discussing measures such as tightening the requirements for declaring emergency martial law and enshrining the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in the preamble of the constitution. On constitutional revision, Lee said it is necessary to strengthen the president's accountability and to distribute powers more appropriately.
On judicial reform, he said it is being pursued to prevent excessive concentration of power and to guard against abuse of power. On military reform, he stressed the need to ensure there is never a threat to the constitutional order while also enabling the military to prepare actively for the forms of warfare of the present and the future.
Of his current visit to France, Lee said the friendship the two countries have built over many years is moving to a new stage toward the future, expressing his commitment to expanding cooperation between South Korea and France.
