Lee Jae-myung Calls for Wider Diplomatic Reach as Global Order Faces 'Extreme Chaos'

President Lee Jae-myung called on South Korea to widen its diplomatic horizons, arguing that the current global order is mired in unprecedented turmoil and that closer international cooperation is the only way through it. He made the comments Friday during a meeting with senior presidential aides, a day after returning from a four-day state visit to France.

Describing the state of world affairs in stark terms, Lee said the international order was passing through what he called "a tunnel of extreme chaos." He argued that South Korea now needs to build up its own strength while simultaneously reaching out to a broader range of partners to navigate the turbulence.

The president framed the moment as one requiring strategic recalibration, telling aides it was time to "expand the diplomatic landscape" and rely on cooperation with the wider international community to work through emerging problems, rather than facing them alone. He pointed to accelerating polarization across the global system as a key reason for Seoul to diversify its outreach beyond traditional partners and regions.

Lee's remarks came directly on the heels of his trip to France, where he held a summit with President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy, advanced industries and defense, areas that Seoul has increasingly prioritized as it seeks to position itself as a reliable partner for European nations rethinking their supply chains and security arrangements.

According to Lee, the visit also reinforced ties between Seoul and Paris well beyond the security and industrial realms, touching politics, the economy, and cultural and artistic exchange. He suggested that a stronger bilateral relationship with France, a major European power, could serve as a springboard for expanding South Korea's diplomatic footprint across the rest of the continent.

The president's comments reflect a broader strategic push by his government to hedge against growing unpredictability in great-power relations by cultivating a wider and more diverse set of international partnerships, rather than depending narrowly on a small circle of traditional allies.