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President Lee Jae-myung delivers a policy address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C., on August 25. / Source: Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung declared in Washington on August 25 that South Korea can no longer follow the path of relying on the United States for security while deepening economic ties with China, a strategy long known as anmi-gyeongjung (“security with America, economy with China”).

Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a leading U.S. think tank, Lee said Korea must take a more proactive role in defending the peninsula and pledged to increase defense spending in line with U.S. calls.

“It is true that until the U.S. began its strong containment — some would say blockade — policy against China, Korea had taken the position of ‘security from the U.S., economic interests from China,’” Lee acknowledged. “But Korea can no longer adopt such a stance.”

He pointed to the restructuring of global supply chains between the free world and China’s bloc in recent years, stressing that Washington’s clear turn to counter Beijing has left Seoul with no choice but to adapt.

Lee said the additional defense budget will be used “to transform our military into a smart, strong force equipped with advanced technology and assets necessary to win future wars,” adding that U.S. defense commitments and the combined alliance posture “will remain ironclad.”

On North Korea, Lee reaffirmed a two-track strategy: working closely with the U.S. on denuclearization and responding firmly to provocations while still pursuing dialogue. Referring to his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier that day, he said both leaders agreed to cooperate “closely for the settlement of peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.”

“The obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty must be strictly observed on the peninsula, and that clearly serves the interests of both Koreas,” Lee said.

He added that inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation would benefit not only the two Koreas but also the U.S., making life safer for the roughly 200,000 Americans living in South Korea and the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed there.

Lee also stressed trilateral cooperation: “Another indispensable partner in the new history of the U.S.-Korea alliance is Japan. Together with President Trump, we will strengthen U.S.-Korea-Japan cooperation so the three countries can jointly respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.”