Key Facts
• August 24: President Lee Jae-myung addressed criticism during his U.S. visit.
• Joint press release from Japan-South Korea summit omitted historical issues.
• South Korean group criticized the summit for ignoring “justice in history.”
• Lee emphasized practical diplomacy prioritizing national interests over unresolved disputes.
• He stated economic and security cooperation should not be abandoned.
• Lee called for time to achieve visible progress on historical and territorial issues.
Summary
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, during his U.S. visit on August 24, acknowledged domestic criticism over the omission of historical issues in the joint press release from the Japan-South Korea summit. Advocacy groups, including a former comfort women support organization, condemned the summit for sidelining historical justice. Lee defended his practical diplomacy approach, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing economic and security cooperation despite unresolved disputes. He expressed optimism about achieving progress on historical and territorial issues with time and mutual understanding.
