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President Lee Jae-myung speaks during an interview with Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun, released on Aug. 21, ahead of his visit to Tokyo. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung has pledged to respect past intergovernmental agreements with Japan, including the 2015 “comfort women” accord and the forced labor compensation plan reached under previous administrations, while at the same time unveiling his government’s first roadmap for North Korea’s denuclearization.

In an interview with Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun published Thursday, Lee said, “These are promises made by the state, and it is not desirable to overturn them.” He acknowledged the deals remain difficult for South Koreans to accept, but stressed the importance of seeking solutions “that do not inflict further wounds” and of offering victims “sincere words of comfort.”

Lee underscored that the historical disputes should not overshadow future ties. “We must recognize reality, show mutual respect, and maximize what benefits both sides,” he said. Citing the 1998 Kim Dae-jung–Obuchi Declaration, he vowed to “inherit and go beyond” its spirit to build a forward-looking relationship.

Lee also called for “epoch-making economic cooperation” that extends beyond existing bilateral frameworks. He proposed launching a broader economic organization among Pacific Rim countries, emphasizing that “the time has come for serious discussions.”

On security, Lee reaffirmed that “the foundation of both economic and security policy is the Korea-U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan,” noting such frameworks were essential for managing ties with China, Russia, and North Korea.

For the first time as president, Lee presented a three-step roadmap toward North Korea’s denuclearization: step one, freezing nuclear and missile programs; step two, reducing them; and step three, complete denuclearization. He pledged to pursue this in close coordination with Washington while also engaging in active inter-Korean dialogue.

Regarding Japanese seafood imports, Lee was cautious, saying, “The trust of the Korean people in the safety of Japanese seafood must be restored first.”

The interview came just days before Lee’s scheduled trip to Japan on Aug. 23, his first visit since taking office. It was also his first face-to-face interview with a media outlet, domestic or international, since becoming president.