A new style, tariff trouble and no mention of Yoon: key takeaways from two hours with South Korea’s new president | South Korea

1. A different type of leadership

Lee chose Blue House, the traditional presidential chair, which she plans to return after the renovation.

South Korea’s new president sat only one and a half meters from journalists, eliminating the raised podium and empire traps defining the rare public appearance of his predecessor.

During the question period, journalists’ names were withdrawn from the lottery boxes and gave the same chance to question the leader to small regional exits. His answers were wandered for minutes, and he was peppered with personal jokes and smiles.

Journalists were previously told that format was deliberately chosen to eliminate any sense of glory or power hierarchy.

2. Bridge after martial law chaos

Lee was sweeping the presidency after Yoon’s malicious martial law attempt, which triggered what Lee called the “national crisis ve and shook the government badly. Lee did not mention Yoon’s name once for a two -hour session.

Instead of continuing to polarize the characteristics of Korean politics, Lee has repeatedly emphasized cooperation in party lines to regain economic stability. During the unofficial meetings with the opposition, he talked about the fears of secret registration, so it was the insecurity between the deep.

Considering that his party controlled both the presidency and the National Assembly with a superity, Lee accepted political reality. “This is exactly the choice of people,” he said.

3. ‘Very Hard’ talks in Trump tariffs

With the suspension of the US tariff expire On July 9, Lee was sincere about the upcoming difficulties. “Tariff negotiations are very difficult, this is certain,” he said. “We have to create mutual useful, really mutual results, but so far, both sides have not clearly solved what they wanted.”

He agreed: “I can’t guarantee that we can finish 8.”

South Korea automotive sector exporting $ 34.7 billion ($ 25.4 billion) Vehicle value Last year, the US is faced with one of the biggest threats of potential 25% of tariffs, Steel Already faces 50 %. The country’s profitable semiconductor It is also vulnerable.

4. Diplomacy and deterrence in North Korea

Using his experience as a lawyer who deals with marriage conflicts, he compared relations between Korea with a blood feud whose problems were out of control. His solution? Im I would tell them to try to play a role. Usually people who did it came to understand each other.

“Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, conflict of conflict, insecurity, creates hatred, hate, creates hatred, so at the beginning, what is a small difference becomes irreparable.

“Diplomacy continues even during the war,” Lee said. “Cutting the dialogue completely is really stupid.” However, Lee also emphasized the maintenance of a strong defense and promising military modernization within the framework of the South Korean-US alliance.

Stating how North Korea is, he talked about creating a “virtuous peace cycle” He answered quickly When Seoul stops Cross -border speaker publicationsHowever, when he was pressed, he offered a few features about how to achieve this.

5. Cutting the Working Week

While discussing South Korea’s plans to reduce working weeks Up to 4.5 daysHe remembered that his childhood worked in a factory during terrible poverty: ık We never rested for a month at the beginning. Then they allowed us to rest once a month… Then twice a month… Then once a week. ” When such changes took time, when he asked when the plans could be implemented in a realistic way.