Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed his gratitude to the United States for its support of Korean democracy, highlighting the role of the Korea-U.S. alliance in handling recent national crises, including the December 3 Martial Law incident and the impeachment and arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol. During the party’s Supreme Council meeting on the 17th, he acknowledged the importance of the alliance in maintaining prosperity in Korea and peace in Northeast Asia, and appreciated the international community’s support.
Lee mentioned a statement from the White House reiterating unwavering U.S. support for the Korean people and a shared commitment to the rule of law. He expressed his belief that the Korea-U.S. alliance would be further strengthened through the current democratic challenges and emphasized the Democratic Party’s dedication to stabilizing the political situation and ensuring robust national security.
Moreover, Lee committed to enhancing South Korea’s role and responsibilities as part of the free democratic world in contributing to global peace. With the anticipated launch of the second Trump administration, he highlighted the importance of restarting stalled diplomatic efforts, with active cooperation from the Democratic Party.
In addition, Lee reiterated his call for the government to quickly formulate an additional supplementary budget, previously discussed extensively. He pointed out the rising costs of goods needed for the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations and emphasized the need to address economic challenges, urging the government to act swiftly.
Lee highlighted the deteriorating situation of livelihoods, where income is decreasing while expenses are increasing. He warned of a vicious cycle of shrinking consumer confidence affecting job markets and domestic demand, insisting on breaking this cycle. He criticized the government’s current focus on the early execution of the budget without sufficient attention to the supplementary budget needs, urging action in the face of economic hardship.