Lee Jae-myung Meets 'K-Joseon' Noticed by Trump: "We Can Create Opportunities Through Cooperation with the US"

On-Site Meeting of the Democratic Party on Shipbuilding and Defense Industries Held on the 19th
Industry Representatives: "Please Work to Ensure Korea's Competitiveness"
In Response to Rightward Shift Criticism, Lee States: "It's Just a Pragmatic Approach"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, evaluated Korea's shipbuilding industry as a leverage point in negotiations with the United States. Lee said, "Although there is the issue of China's pursuit, South Korea has areas where it holds a competitive advantage, and if we leverage this well and cooperate with the U.S., we can create an opportunity."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the on-site meeting titled "The Trump Era: The Korea-US Alliance and the Vision for the Shipbuilding Industry and K-Defense" held at the Korea Defense Industry Promotion Association in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 19th. 2025.2.19 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

At the Democratic Party's on-site discussion titled "The Trump Era: The Korea-U.S. Alliance and the Vision for the Shipbuilding Industry and K-Defense Industry," held on the 19th at the Korea Defense Industry Promotion Association meeting room in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Lee stated, "The Trump administration is showing interest in the shipbuilding industry."

The meeting was attended by Democratic Party lawmakers including Lee, Lee Eon-ju, chair of the Future Economic Growth Strategy Committee, and Lee Han-joo, head of the Democratic Research Institute, as well as shipbuilding industry representatives such as Choi Sung-man, CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, Lee Sang-kyun, CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and Kim Hee-chul, CEO of Hanwha Ocean.

Lee said, "Recently, the U.S. Congress has proposed a bill allowing allied countries to build U.S. Navy ships," adding, "I don't know how it will be processed, but if the bill passes, it will enable participation in building U.S. ships outside the U.S." He continued, "South Korea may also have a significant geopolitical advantage," and added, "We expect not only to cooperate on shipbuilding between Korea and the U.S. but also to pioneer new paths in the defense industry."

Lee emphasized, "The role of entrepreneurs working on the industrial front lines is very important, and politics must support the activities of companies," adding, "There are problems in international relations that are difficult to solve at the corporate level, so I will look for what politics can do."

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung and leaders of five opposition parties are taking a commemorative photo after signing a joint declaration at the launch ceremony of the "End of Insurrection, Democratic Constitution Protection, New Republic Roundtable" held at the National Assembly on the 19th. From the left: Basic Income Party leader Yong Hye-in, Acting Leader of the Party for National Innovation Kim Seon-min, Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung, Progressive Party Co-leader Kim Jae-yeon, and Social Democratic Party leader Han Chang-min. 2025.2.19 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the same day, the shipbuilding industry requested the National Assembly's cooperation to enable the industry to demonstrate competitiveness in the U.S. naval ship market. In particular, they emphasized the need for the National Assembly's efforts to ensure that bills allowing allied countries to build U.S. warships, such as the Naval Readiness Guarantee Act mentioned by Lee, can pass the U.S. Congress.

After the meeting, Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "There were opinions to establish Korea-U.S. parliamentary cooperation to discuss with the U.S. Congress and to increase opportunities for Korea's shipbuilding industry, merchant ships, and warships to secure orders through Korea-U.S. agreements and treaties," adding, "There was also talk about the need for support at the National Assembly level." Other requests included timely provision of research and development (R&D) support budgets, support for technology development demonstrations, and the establishment of a defense export promotion fund.

Regarding recent criticisms that the Democratic Party is shifting to the right, Lee responded, "There have been continuous talks about a rightward shift, but we (the Democratic Party) have never shifted right," adding, "We are taking a pragmatic approach based on the current position." He further stated, "At the root of the worsening economic situation and the rise of extremist tendencies is the issue of livelihood. We must improve the economic situation to solve problems of distribution and fairness," reiterating his stance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.