Rep. Wi Sung-rak, a "diplomatic expert," listens to "Second Trump" countermeasures.

■ Host: Lee Se-na, anchor Na Kyung-chul
■ Video broadcast: Rep. Wi Sung-rak of the Democratic Party of Korea

* The text below may differ from the actual broadcast content, so please check the broadcast for more accurate information. Please specify [YTN New Square 2PM] when quoting.

[Anchor]
Ahead of the launch of the second Trump administration, it is time to take a look at how Korea should cope with the changing international situation and with the members of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. Following Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People's Power, this time, we will connect with Moon Sang-rak, a former diplomat of the Democratic Party of Korea. How are you, Senator?

[Satellite]
Hello.

[Anchor]
Senator was concerned about Trump's election before the U.S. presidential election. Unlike Harris, Trump, who pursues America First, downplayed the alliance and predicted that it would cause many difficulties to our country, do you still think about that?

[Satellite]
That's right. Until now, the Yoon Suk Yeol government had said that relations with the U.S. were okay, even if not in other areas, but now I think we have met a big challenge in the Korea-U.S. relationship.

[Anchor]
How do you think our government should respond to this concern, especially that the protectionism of the Trump administration will be strengthened?

[Satellite]
It's going to be a huge shock to the international trade system because it's said that at least 10% to 20% is imposed on everyone with universal tariffs and 60% tariffs are mentioned on China. It will be very difficult for us to handle this. In addition, Korean companies have invested $140 billion in the U.S. over the past three years, and profitability is adjusted based on subsidies and various benefits, so the big challenge of whether this is sustainable will follow. It seems that we need to thoroughly prepare for economic security and reconsider the improvement of the system to integrate and operate economic security.

[Anchor]
You are an expert on North Korea who served as ambassador to Russia when you were a diplomat and also served as the head of the Korean Peninsula's peace negotiations. Will the atmosphere of dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. created during Trump's first term be reproduced? How do you view it?

[Satellite]
I think it's very likely that the conversation will resume. If that happens, there is a possibility that we will negotiate North Korea's nuclear weapons program between the U.S. and North Korea while being excluded, and Trump is likely to negotiate mainly with the U.S. without putting much emphasis on the alliance, so there is a possibility that the negotiations will proceed without sufficient reflection of South Korea's security interests. I can't help but be very concerned. In that case, it is an important task for us to cooperate with the United States and reflect our opinions to the United States, but I don't think we can relax because of Trump's unpredictability or attitude that does not value allies.

[Anchor]
There is also the problem of sending North Korean troops. North Korea is strengthening solidarity with Russia, and South Korea is responding with South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation, but some point out that the opposition party should conduct practical diplomacy rather than value diplomacy.Do you agree with this part
?

[Satellite]
That's right. We're making that argument. Even if you look at the past conservative governments, this government has been the most ideologically oriented, the most rigid, and the most popular type of diplomacy. As a result, inter-Korean relations are now confrontational, Korea-China-Russia relations are at their worst since diplomatic relations were established, and North Korea's nuclear missile threat is at its peak. Finally, Russia and North Korea became allies and North Korea sent troops to Ukraine. Therefore, I think there is a greater need to conduct diplomacy centered on practicality rather than such ideology.

[Anchor]
The defense cost of the U.S. Forces Korea is considered one of the major issues. How do you think the Korean government should respond to this and take countermeasures?

[Satellite]
The government has reached an early conclusion on defense negotiations. Perhaps that's the case in preparation for the possibility of Trump coming in, but nevertheless, I think it's very likely that this negotiation will be discussed again. If that happens, what we have concluded so far will be meaningless. We need to deal with it well in the future, but I think we need to deal with it well because controversy over the amount of defense expenses and the problem could negatively affect the existence of the U.S. Forces Korea, reduction or withdrawal, or the operation of various strategic assets.

[Anchor]
We asked Yoon Sang-hyun earlier about whether Trump and Yoon Suk Yeol's president-elect will be a good match or the so-called chemistry. Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun responded to this by saying that they would fit very well. What do you think, Mr. Wee?

[Satellite]
Recently, I remember CEO Lee Jae-myung commenting that it would not fit well. It was a reaction to President Yoon's saying that the chemistry would be good. In fact, if you think about it objectively, President Trump is a businessman with a merchant temperament, so he wants to negotiate and trade with all his counterparts. On the other hand, President Yoon used to be a prosecutor. Rather than trying to negotiate and trade for every opponent, especially if you look at the last two and a half years, there is very little record of trying to negotiate or trade with the opposition.

Rather, he expressed the question of whether the two of such a big difference would be easy because he is willing to take judicial action and regard all objects as guilt-free. Furthermore, I think CEO Lee Jae-myung, who is the subject of this judicial process, may have that thought.

[Anchor]
You're looking at a very different view from lawmaker Yoon. And hasn't Trump now vowed to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours if he takes office? The South Korean government has suggested that the international community take step-by-step measures in response to the North Korean military's dispatch to Russia. How do you think the government's security stance should change?

[Satellite]
First of all, we all condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and it is a clear violation of international norms and international law, so we must support and join the international community in this regard. However, you will always have to be considerate of the extent and intensity. Now, when the news of the dispatch of troops to Ukraine came out, the government has made great use of this information and disclosed it, talking about responding fairly hard, supporting lethal weapons, and dispatching military observers. However, with Trump now elected, I think Trump will try to pursue a ceasefire in Ukraine and that he has in mind to improve relations with Russia, so we should take this changed situation into account.

[Anchor]
What do you think about the nuclear armament theory that is being raised by some?

[Satellite]
In fact, I see nuclear armament as an option that most in the pan-regime are thinking about beyond the level that is being raised by some. That's why I'm more concerned. In fact, many in the government, including the defense minister, current and former defense ministers, are very favorable to nuclear armament, and few leaders in the ruling party do not have nuclear armament in mind.

But if we go into nuclear armament, the repercussions are huge. It is very difficult for a country with a highly dependent economy like ours to withstand international sanctions, and then the extended deterrence of the U.S. will disappear. We must respond to North Korea's nuclear weapons with our own nuclear weapons. We may be able to respond to North Korea's nuclear weapons with our nuclear weapons, but we will not be able to cope with China's nuclear weapons or Russia's nuclear weapons. Only by securing extended deterrence against the nuclear weapons of China or Russia can we cope with them with the help of the U.S. nuclear weapons. When we have our own nuclear armament, the public, the deterrent against Russia, is gone.

I think it's extremely dangerous to try to judge such a great challenge too easily whether it's nuclear armament or not using the OX problem, and I think it's something to be wary of.

[Anchor]
You said that we should approach carefully in all areas. I heard that you will accompany a delegation of ruling and opposition lawmakers on their visit to the United States this week. As an opposition lawmaker, what kind of schedule are you planning?

[Satellite]
First of all, the main purpose is to attend an international conference at CSI. In addition to that, I'm trying to meet people I've contacted before or know as much as possible on my schedule. Also, if there is a schedule that is arranged collectively, I would like to participate together.

[Anchor]
I see. Have a safe trip to the U.S. So far, we have talked about Korea's diplomatic direction with lawmaker Wi Sung-rak of the Democratic Party of Korea. Senator, thank you for your words today.

[Satellite]
Thank you.