On March 1, 2026, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stood before a packed auditorium at COEX in Seoul’s Gangnam district, his words echoing the gravity of the moment. The 107th anniversary of the March 1st Movement—a day deeply etched into Korea’s national memory—unfolded against a backdrop of global turmoil, most notably the sudden death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, following attacks attributed to the United States and Israel. The ripple effects of this event, which former U.S. President Donald Trump described on social media as the demise of “one of the most evil people in history,” were being felt far beyond the Middle East, stirring anxiety and uncertainty across the international community, including the Korean Peninsula.
President Lee, embarking on a diplomatic tour of Singapore and the Philippines, wasted no time in responding to the escalating crisis. According to Segye Ilbo, he instructed that “during his overseas trip, the Prime Minister should lead a state of emergency response system due to the expanded uncertainty in Middle East situation following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader.” Lee’s orders were clear: government agencies must maintain constant vigilance, frequently report on the evolving situation in the Middle East and its economic impacts, and, above all, “ensure the utmost safety of South Korean overseas nationals.” The Blue House echoed this sentiment, stating it was “closely monitoring related developments and taking multifaceted measures to ensure the safety of overseas Koreans, hoping for a swift restoration of stability and peace in the Middle East.”
This sense of urgency was palpable at the March 1st commemoration, where President Lee delivered a speech that referenced 'peace' no fewer than 24 times, according to Yonhap News. He drew a direct line between the present turbulence and the spirit of the 1919 independence movement, stating, “Creating a peaceful Korean Peninsula where we grow together is the true way to inherit the spirit of the March 1st Revolution. Let’s not ignore the clear lesson of history: hostility and confrontation benefit no one.”
Lee’s remarks came at a time when tensions with North Korea remain high, and the window for dialogue seems to be narrowing. Despite North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s recent dismissal of South Korea’s overtures as “clumsy deception,” Lee urged Pyongyang to “promptly come to the dialogue table.” He pledged, “I will do everything possible to turn the armistice system into a peace regime through practical tension reduction and cooperation with relevant countries.” Lee’s insistence on dialogue, even in the face of repeated rebuffs, underscored his administration’s commitment to peace and stability on the peninsula.
But Lee did not shy away from addressing security concerns. Referring to the previous year’s unmanned drone intrusion from the North, he called it “a serious crime threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula and something that should never happen.” He emphasized that the incident was unrelated to his administration and promised a thorough investigation, accountability, and institutional safeguards to prevent recurrence. The strong language signaled both a firm stance on national security and an attempt to draw a clear boundary between the current government and past incidents.
Lee’s approach to North Korea is guided by what he calls the 'three principles': respect for the North’s regime, rejection of hostile acts, and opposition to forced unification. “We will consistently pursue what is necessary for peace on the Korean Peninsula and the restoration of trust between the two Koreas,” he affirmed. These principles, first outlined during his previous Liberation Day address, were reiterated as evidence of South Korea's steadfastness and sincerity.
Amid the swirling uncertainty in the Middle East, Lee also turned his attention to South Korea’s other key regional relationships. With Japan, he advocated for a pragmatic, forward-looking diplomacy that acknowledges historical wounds but prioritizes cooperation for peace and prosperity. “Based on the spirit of March 1st, which pursued peace and shared prosperity, we must develop Korea-Japan relations by facing the past, solving current challenges together, and moving toward the future,” Lee told the audience. He recognized that “painful traces of history and suffering victims remain in our society,” but insisted that “now is the time for both countries to respond to reality and open the future together.”
Lee’s reference to 'shuttle diplomacy' signaled an intention to keep lines of communication open with Tokyo, despite the often fraught history between the two nations. He directly called on the Japanese government to “respond so that we can open a new world of harmony based on true understanding and empathy.”
Looking beyond bilateral ties, Lee stressed the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, China, and Japan. He cited the vision of independence activist An Jung-geun, invoking his 'East Asian Peace Theory' as a blueprint for regional harmony. “In this era of upheaval, Northeast Asian unity is more important than ever. We will not stop working toward harmony and prosperity, just as our ancestors hoped for peace in Northeast Asia to lead to peace in the world,” Lee declared.
Meanwhile, the South Korean government’s response to the Middle East crisis has been swift and coordinated. The National Security Council convened working-level meetings following the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, and President Lee has been receiving regular updates and reviewing countermeasures. The government’s actions reflect a keen awareness of the interconnectedness of global events and their potential impact on South Korea’s security and economy.
The death of Khamenei and the subsequent instability in the Middle East have heightened the stakes for South Korea’s foreign policy, compelling the administration to balance immediate security concerns with long-term aspirations for peace. Lee’s dual emphasis on vigilance and dialogue, both at home and abroad, offers a glimpse into the complex calculus facing policymakers in Seoul.
As the world watches the fallout from Khamenei’s death and the shifting dynamics of great power politics, President Lee’s message is unmistakable: South Korea will remain proactive, pragmatic, and unwavering in its pursuit of peace—on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia, and beyond. The coming months will test the resilience of these commitments, but for now, the call for dialogue, cooperation, and stability rings out with renewed urgency.