### South Korea's Lee Jae-myung Takes Office: A Diplomatic Balancing Act

In his first address as South Korea's president, Lee Jae-myung emphasizes peace with North Korea while treading carefully around China, underlining the complexities of his administration's foreign policy.

South Korea’s newly elected president, Lee Jae-myung, has kicked off his term by advocating for diplomatic engagement with North Korea in pursuit of peace on the Korean Peninsula. His inauguration, held at the National Assembly, also underlined South Korea's enduring commitment to its security alliances, particularly with the United States, with whom he needs to collaborate on crucial issues like trade tariffs.

In a nationally broadcast speech shortly after his election victory, Lee highlighted the importance of strengthening trilateral ties with both the U.S. and Japan, but he refrained from addressing the growing friction between Washington and Beijing, which complicates relations for his administration. While during his campaign, Lee emphasized fostering closer ties with China, his inaugural address notably omitted any direct mention of the nation, instead suggesting a pragmatic approach to international relations focused on South Korea's national interests.

With public sentiment wary of North Korea but also recognizing China’s economic significance, the incoming president faces a challenging diplomatic landscape. He characterized his strategy as one beneficial for national interests, asserting, “I will approach relations with neighboring countries from a perspective of national interest and pragmatism.”

This delicate balancing act is expected to test Lee’s leadership capabilities as he navigates the intricacies of international relations, steering South Korea through a period of complex global dynamics where its relationship with China plays a pivotal, if contentious, role.