President shares data on exports to China on social media

'Top diplomatic goal is national interest and people's livelihoods'

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung walk to their vehicle after disembarking from Air Force One at Seoul Airport in Seongnam on Sunday, returning from an overseas trip to the United States and Mexico. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung walk to their vehicle after disembarking from Air Force One at Seoul Airport in Seongnam on Sunday, returning from an overseas trip to the United States and Mexico. [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that while the South Korea-US alliance remains the most important pillar of the country's diplomacy, managing relations with China is also critical.

Lee made the remarks in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing that "the foremost goal of diplomacy is national interest — namely national development and improving people's livelihoods." He also shared a chart showing trends in South Korean exports to China under successive administrations. The data showed that average monthly exports to China under his government have reached $15.1 billion, a 36 percent increase from the $11 billion recorded under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

"For South Korea, an open trading nation, exports are the single most important factor in advancing industrial development and improving people's lives," Lee said.

Lee said his government is working to secure the momentum for economic recovery and sustained growth while also making every effort to ease social polarization. "Once next year's budget begins to be disbursed, people will start to feel a meaningful difference, and living conditions will improve," he added.

He also said special measures to address housing, employment and debt issues would be prepared soon.


sunpine@heraldcorp.com