South Korean presidential front-runner Lee Jae-myung said on Sunday that the deadline for negotiations with the United States over trade tariffs should be reconsidered to ensure a mutually beneficial agreement between the two allies.
Lee, the candidate from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), emphasized that tariff negotiations would be a key challenge for whoever wins the June 3 snap election, which was triggered after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and removed from office for declaring martial law in December.
Seoul and Washington had initially aimed to finalize a deal on tariffs and economic cooperation by July 8. However, South Korea’s trade minister recently cautioned that the timeline may be too tight, particularly given the ongoing election.
"There is not much time left," Lee said during a news conference. "True diplomacy should benefit both sides. If one country gains while the other suffers, that is not diplomacy—it is plunder."
He called for mutual respect in negotiations, questioning whether "a timeline set unilaterally should be binding."
Lee pledged to swiftly implement economic stimulus measures if elected, including drafting an extra budget and forming a task force to address slowing growth.
"I will prepare immediate, actionable economic policies and aggressively combat the domestic slowdown with the determination to fight a recession," he said.
On foreign policy, Lee criticized Yoon’s hardline stance toward North Korea, arguing that it had heightened tensions, hurt the economy, and unsettled foreign investors. Instead, he advocated for a balanced approach combining strong defense capabilities with dialogue.
"We must maintain a powerful military and strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance, but we should also seek paths to communication and coexistence where possible," Lee said, framing pragmatism as central to his diplomatic strategy.
With less than 10 days before the election, Lee holds a steady lead in polls. A recent Gallup Korea survey showed him at 45% support, ahead of conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, Yoon’s former labor minister, at 36%.
During a campaign speech in Anyang, Lee framed the election as a referendum on accountability for Yoon’s actions, urging voters to reject what he called "insurrection forces."
"Even if you dislike me or the DPK, you must never support those behind the insurrection," he said, indirectly targeting Kim Moon-soo for not distancing himself from Yoon.
Lee also vowed to address stock market concerns, including allegations of manipulation involving Yoon’s wife, and pledged to personally invest 100 million won ($76,000) in stocks to demonstrate confidence in the economy.
As the race tightens, Lee’s campaign continues to focus on economic revival, diplomatic pragmatism, and holding Yoon’s allies accountable.