South Korean President Lee Jae‑myung grapples with coalition rift and stalled North Korea dialogue

President Lee Jae‑myung hosted former President Moon Jae‑in for a lunch at the Blue House on Jan. 1, the first high‑level meeting between the two Democratic Party leaders since Lee took office. Lee seeks Moon’s bloc, which holds a narrow majority in the National Assembly, to back a $20 billion stimulus package and other economic measures. Analysts describe the gathering as a “survival strategy” amid Lee’s roughly 40 % approval rating and Moon’s continued influence over party votes.

At the same time, Lee’s hopes for easing inter‑Korean tensions have dimmed. North Korea has amended its constitution to label South Korea a hostile state and to formally enshrine its nuclear‑armed status, ending the previous language that referenced Korean reunification. The change makes denuclearisation talks politically untenable and signals a renewed arms buildup. Experts suggest Lee may need a joint U.S.–China‑South Korea approach to address the security impasse.