Jeong Cheongrae: "Korea-U.S. Fact Sheet Announced... President Lee Negotiated Firmly from a National Interest Perspective"
by Hwang Seoyul
Published 14 Nov.2025 10:53(KST)
Democratic Party Supreme Council Meeting Held in Busan on November 14
"Despite Adverse Conditions of Rebellion, Impeachment, and Removal from Office, Negotiations Were Successful"
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on President Lee Jaemyung's announcement of the Korea-U.S. Joint Fact Sheet, stating, "This was possible because President Lee negotiated firmly with President Trump solely from the perspective of national interest."
At the on-site Supreme Council meeting of the Democratic Party held in the main conference room of the Busan Metropolitan Democratic Party on November 14, Leader Jeong said, "While the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit was an unprecedented success, I also believe the tariff negotiations were extremely well-conducted from a national interest standpoint," expressing these views.
He added, "(Currently) the fact sheet on this matter has been completed and announced," and continued, "I have also heard some behind-the-scenes stories from President Lee, and there were many difficult moments," highly praising President Lee's negotiation skills.
Leader Jeong directly referenced part of President Lee's press conference statement. He said, "If you look at the lower section, it says, 'Fellow citizens, due to martial law, rebellion, and the resulting national and social turmoil, Korea started the tariff negotiations later than other countries.' It is clear that the conditions for tariff negotiations were extremely unfavorable, given the periods of martial law, rebellion, impeachment, removal from office, and presidential elections. However, through President Lee's pragmatic and national interest-driven diplomacy, the negotiations appear to have been much more successful than those of other countries."
He continued, "The statement also includes words of gratitude for President Trump's bold decision, and mentions that the nuclear submarine project will proceed as planned. I would appreciate it if we could give President Lee a round of applause."
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