SEOUL — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday he would pursue the revival of reconciliation policies toward North Korea and renewable energy initiatives championed by former President Moon Jae-in, during a luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae.
The meeting marked the first time Lee formally received a former South Korean president since taking office in June last year.
Lee and Moon discussed policy directions that were discontinued under former President Yoon Suk Yeol, including inter-Korean reconciliation efforts and support for renewable energy infrastructure such as solar power.
“I will make sure these will carry on,” Lee said, referring to policies influenced by previous liberal administrations, including the Sunshine Policy and the Korean Peninsula peace process.
Lee said relations with North Korea had deteriorated significantly and described restoring inter-Korean ties as a major challenge.
He also praised Moon’s renewable energy policy, saying it helped create the foundation for a planned 800 trillion won ($514 billion) semiconductor investment project in southwestern South Korea.
Moon urged unity within the liberal bloc, while Lee said internal cohesion would be important for his administration and for broader national integration.
Later Wednesday, Lee told a meeting of the presidential Peaceful Unification Advisory Council that South Korea should continue engaging North Korea consistently in pursuit of a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.