Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted Lee Jae-myung for his presidential election in South Korea. for X (previously Twitter), he posted his statement saying, “Congratulations to Mr. Lee Jae-myung for being elected as the President of the Republic of Korea. Working together will help the India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership to flourish and get stronger.
This statement highlights India’s great will to close its friendship with South Korea deeper. In fields including trade, technology, and culture, both nations keep strong cooperation. India expects that under this new leadership it would develop an even closer partnership with South Korea going forward.
A New Chapter in South Korean Politics
Following his quick election on June 3, 2025, Lee Jae-myung became the next President of South Korea having gained 49.4% of the vote. He has knowledge and great leadership having been a Democratic Party leader and former human rights attorney. His election coincides with the impeachment of previous President Yoon Suk Yeol, who drew strong condemnation for attempting to impose martial law amid political turmoil. Lee’s victory signifies a significant political turning point for South Korea and many view it as a possibility for stability and reform.
Lee promised in his first presidential speech to rebuild democratic values and mend the economy. He stated he will concentrate on sensible, pro-business policies to lower government regulations and stimulate development. He also expressed willingness in discussing with North Korea to help to bring peace on the Korean Peninsula. At the same time, he underlined the need of keeping close to the United States.
Global Reactions and Diplomatic Implications
Joining many other foreign leaders who received his election, PM Modi congratulated Lee. Leaders from Japan, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand also extended best wishes. Collectively, they hoped for peace and more robust cooperation in the Asia-Pacific area.
Strong commercial and strategic relations exist between India and South Korea already, and under President Lee’s direction these are probably going to deepen. Technology, defence, and regional security all attract both nations. Furthermore, India and South Korea have a fantastic opportunity to deepen their connection even further since President Lee intends to concentrate on economic reforms and international alliances.
Foreign Policy: Pragmatic Diplomacy and Regional Engagement
President Lee Jae-myung is leading South Korea’s foreign policy with a practical approach. He puts national interests and economic gains first. He wants to keep strong ties with the United States while also building good relationships with nearby countries.
- U.S. Relations:
President Lee plans to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance. Even though there are issues like U.S. tariffs on Korean steel and aluminum, he focuses on shared security and boosting economic cooperation. - North Korea:
Lee supports opening talks with North Korea again. He suggests a step-by-step plan to reduce nuclear weapons, with each step matched by easing sanctions. At the same time, he wants to improve South Korea’s defense, including possibly using nuclear-powered submarines, to better protect the country. - China and Japan:
Lee works to keep strong trade ties with China, South Korea’s biggest trading partner. At the same time, he tries to handle long-standing issues with Japan carefully. His main goal is to use economic diplomacy to bring peace and stability to the region.
Challenges Ahead for President Lee
President Lee starts his term with high hopes, but he faces many challenges. At home, he must deal with strong political divisions and fix key economic problems like slow growth and rising debt. At the same time, he needs to manage relationships with nearby countries and respond to concerns about North Korea’s military actions.
In addition, Lee enters office under pressure because of corruption allegations. He strongly denies these claims and says they are politically motivated. Now, he must bring the country together and move forward with his plans. His success will depend on how well he handles these issues.
End Note
Prime Minister Narendra Modi quickly congratulated President Lee Jae-myung, showing India’s strong interest in working with South Korea’s new leadership. The next several years will be very important in determining India-South Korea relations as both nations want to strengthen their strategic cooperation. Their cooperation can also aid in increasing the region’s stability and wealth.
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