South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said Thursday the world is now facing unprecedented protectionism and security uncertainties, pledging to turn such global crises into opportunities to maximize the national interest. He also affirmed his commitment to strengthening cooperation with Japan and China, based on the South Korea-US alliance, according to Yonhap News Agency.

An analyst said Lee's remarks highlight that the core of the current South Korean government's foreign policy is "pragmatic diplomacy."

The president made the remarks in his congratulatory message, delivered by his press secretary Lee Kyu-youn, at the Korean Peninsula Symposium.

"The world has entered an unprecedented major turning point in the global economy and security environment," Lee said, citing geopolitical tensions, growing rivalry over technological hegemony, fractured global supply chains and widespread protectionism.

"Now is the time when a strategic approach is more necessary than ever to address global uncertainties and external risks," he noted.

Lee's remarks highlight that the core of the current South Korean government's foreign policy is "pragmatic diplomacy," which prioritizes the national interests of South Korea, with a focus on pursuing economic and security benefits, Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Regarding relations with China, the Lee Jae-myung administration has particularly emphasized the close economic and trade ties between South Korea and China, a stance clearly reflected in its campaign, inauguration, and subsequent statements. Unlike the previous government, the current administration places greater emphasis on improving relations with neighboring countries, including adjusting its policy toward Japan, to stabilize the regional environment through economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, Xiang said.

While the president demonstrates a pragmatic and balanced approach—maintaining South Korea's alliance with the US while seeking to improve relations with neighbors like China and Japan—these adjustments are primarily driven by practical considerations, the expert noted.

Overall, the government aims to enhance public sentiment and foster a more favorable opinion climate for South Korean diplomacy by strengthening economic cooperation and cultural exchanges, including in areas like tourism, Xiang said.