An Evaluation of the Lee Jae-myung Administration’s Foreign and Security Policy During Its First Six Months, with a Strategic Outlook and Policy Recommendations for the Coming Year
Hong Hyeng Sik
Director, Hangil Research
An assessment of the Lee Jae-myung administration’s foreign and security policy during its first six months can be summarized as a results-oriented approach grounded in pragmatic diplomacy, national interests, and international realities. The administration has pursued a balanced strategy that places the ROK–U.S. alliance at its core, manages relations with neighboring states pragmatically, and simultaneously advances objectives related to economic security, national defense, and peace.
Restoration of Normalized Diplomacy and International Trust
The administration’s first major achievement lies in the normalization of South Korea’s diplomacy and the restoration of international confidence through its reestablishment as a “normal state” within the international community.
Over the past six months, the government has moved swiftly to address international concerns regarding democratic governance and political instability arising from domestic turmoil. In doing so, it has reinforced perceptions of democratic resilience and institutional stability.
Within a notably short period, the administration achieved a series of tangible diplomatic outcomes: participation in the G7 Summit; a state visit to the United States and a ROK–U.S. summit; chairing a United Nations Security Council meeting for the first time by a South Korean president; the successful hosting of the Gyeongju APEC Summit; agreements with the United States on trade and security; the normalization of relations with Japan; and the restoration of diplomatic engagement with China. Collectively, these developments reflect a clear rebuilding of trust and relationships with major powers.
Conclusion of ROK–U.S. Trade, Tariff, and Security Negotiations
The second major achievement was the successful conclusion of comprehensive ROK–U.S. negotiations encompassing tariffs, trade, and security. Following the tariff agreement reached on July 31, the two countries arrived at a broader consensus on November 14, building on the August 25 White House meeting and the October 29 ROK–U.S. summit held on the sidelines of the Gyeongju APEC Summit. These outcomes were subsequently formalized in a joint fact sheet.
The trade agreement created an opportunity for South Korea to elevate its partnership with the United States in the revitalization of U.S. manufacturing, positioning Seoul as a key technological and industrial partner. On the security front, the agreement resulted in a qualitative strengthening of the ROK–U.S. alliance.
It reaffirmed Washington’s firm security commitment to the Korean Peninsula and secured U.S. support for South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, as well as expanded cooperation in uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing.
Taken together, these outcomes established a new framework integrating trade and security cooperation, thereby elevating the bilateral alliance to a higher technological, economic, and strategic level.
A New Approach to Diplomacy and Security Negotiations
The third achievement concerns a shift in negotiation strategy. Rather than treating trade and security as separate domains, the Lee administration has adopted an integrated approach centered on mutual benefit and long-term strategic alignment.
South Korea’s MASGA (Make American Shipping Great Again) proposal during tariff negotiations illustrates this approach, highlighting how South Korea’s shipbuilding competitiveness could contribute to the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry under the Trump administration, thereby producing reciprocal gains.
The agreement on nuclear-powered submarines likewise reflects this logic of mutual accommodation. South Korea explicitly reaffirmed that it has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons, thereby addressing U.S. nonproliferation concerns. At the same time, enhanced South Korean undersea capabilities could help alleviate the operational burden on U.S. forces in the Western Pacific. This arrangement both strengthens South Korea’s defense posture and demonstrates a clear application of the principle of reciprocal benefit.
Importantly, this principle is not limited to the United States. Although it was applied first to Washington—reflecting the priority placed on resolving trade and security issues with the U.S.—the same framework is expected to guide Seoul’s diplomatic and security engagement with other partners going forward. The administration’s early achievements suggest that this strategy may yield more consistent and stable outcomes over time.
Domestic Public Opinion and Political Momentum
Upon the administration’s inauguration, the South Korean public identified foreign affairs and national security as the most important—and most concerning—policy areas. Early evaluations in these domains were lukewarm, contributing to a decline in presidential approval ratings. However, by the six-month mark, public assessments had shifted decisively in a positive direction.
According to Gallup Korea, positive evaluations of the administration’s foreign policy rose from 47 percent in September—three months into the term—to 63 percent in December, following the Gyeongju APEC Summit. This figure represents the highest approval rating among all policy areas and even exceeds the administration’s overall job approval rating (62 percent). Notably, issues that initially weighed down public support have since become drivers of renewed approval.
Based solely on domestic public opinion, the administration is therefore likely to maintain its current foreign and security policy trajectory into the coming year, with strong public backing providing additional political momentum.
Outlook for 2026: Opportunities and Constraints
While 2025 was characterized by a focus on restoring diplomacy—particularly through the ROK–U.S. relationship—2026 is expected to mark the “first year of strategic advancement” in foreign and security policy. South Korea’ key priorities will include resuming dialogue with North Korea and deepening relations with neighboring countries. In particular, stabilizing ties with China and Japan will be essential to advancing the “Korean Peninsula Peace and Cooperation Process,” which is expected to gain momentum next year.
Beyond Northeast Asia, South Korea is also expected to expand its diplomatic reach across both the Global South and the Global North, while increasing its role in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Nevertheless, the success of the administration’s 2026 strategy is far from assured. Divergent national interests, non-negotiable core priorities, and heightened geopolitical risks could complicate efforts to pursue reciprocal cooperation.
Guiding Principles Going Forward
Even under these constraints, South Korea’s foreign and security policy should adhere to two core principles. The first is alliance-centered pragmatism combined with strict reciprocity. This approach requires moving beyond declaratory assertions of national interest toward a more transactional posture that recognizes partners’ core interests and engages in calibrated give-and-take, a framework broadly aligned with the Trump administration’s worldview.
The second principle is the need to secure strategic flexibility. Rather than preemptively defining South Korea’s international role in rigid terms, the administration should preserve room for maneuver by carefully assessing evolving power dynamics, partner interests, and geopolitical conditions. This approach is particularly relevant to its Korean Peninsula policy.
While President Trump’s objectives regarding the Peninsula remain largely unchanged from his first term, their relative importance and modes of implementation differ. A focus on pragmatic, achievable steps—rather than rigid prioritization of ultimate goals—could reduce friction between Seoul and Washington and increase the likelihood of tangible outcomes.
Finally, the administration must sustain domestic support through transparent internal communication, while externally continuing to articulate South Korea’s policy positions, identify shared interests, and strengthen its standing within the international community.