Why the US mentioned 'China interference' when congratulating Lee Jae-myung



Analysis Why the US mentioned ‘China interference’ when congratulating Lee Jae-myung Unusual statement may have aimed to pressure new ROK president to align with US even as it focuses less on North Korea Jooheon Kim \| Shreyas Reddy June 4, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A policeman stands watch during a Democratic Party rally \| Image: NK News The White House’s first statement on new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s election victory has made headlines for its focus on Chinese interference, underscoring fears about the Trump administration deprioritizing allied efforts to combat North Korean threats. “The U.S.-ROK Alliance remains ironclad. While South Korea had a free and fair election, the United States remains concerned and opposed to Chinese interference and influence in democracies around the world,” the White House said in a statement to Reuters and South Korean media outlets on Tuesday The White House’s first statement on new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s election victory has made headlines for its focus on Chinese interference, underscoring fears about the Trump administration deprioritizing allied efforts to combat North Korean threats. “The U.S.-ROK Alliance remains ironclad. While South Korea had a free and fair election, the United States remains concerned and opposed to Chinese interference and influence in democracies around the world,” the White House said in a statement to Reuters and South Korean media outlets on Tuesday Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Why the US mentioned ‘China interference’ when congratulating Lee Jae-myung

Unusual statement may have aimed to pressure new ROK president to align with US even as it focuses less on North Korea

Jooheon Kim | Shreyas Reddy June 4, 2025

Why the US mentioned ‘China interference’ when congratulating Lee Jae-myung

A policeman stands watch during a Democratic Party rally | Image: NK News

The White House’s first statement on new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s election victory has made headlines for its focus on Chinese interference, underscoring fears about the Trump administration deprioritizing allied efforts to combat North Korean threats.

“The U.S.-ROK Alliance remains ironclad. While South Korea had a free and fair election, the United States remains concerned and opposed to Chinese interference and influence in democracies around the world,” the White House said in a statement to Reuters and South Korean media outlets on Tuesday

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Why the US mentioned ‘China interference’ when congratulating Lee Jae-myung

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