Continuity or reset? Japan, China seek clues to S. Korean leader's foreign policy

South Korea's East Asian neighbours Japan and China on June 4 quickly congratulated President Lee Jae-myung on his resounding election win, even as both countries watch closely for clues to how the liberal leader will approach bilateral relations.

- Walter Sim Japan Correspondent and Aw Cheng Wei China Correspondent

TOKYO/CHONGQING -

This scrutiny stems from perceptions that South Korean diplomacy oscillates wildly, depending on the ruling party of the day. Liberals are judged to be hostile towards Japan and friendly towards China and North Korea, while conservatives hold an opposite view.

Ties between Tokyo and Seoul plunged into a deep freeze under the previous liberal president Moon Jae-in, only to thaw rapidly under Mr Lee's ousted predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who is now facing insurrection charges for his martial law debacle.

Mr Lee had previously described Japan as an "enemy nation" and went on a 24-day hunger strike to oppose Yoon's conciliatory policies. He has also criticised Yoon for worsening ties with China by moving closer to the United States on positions such as Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of its territory to be reunited with.

But Mr Lee adopted a more centrist agenda on the campaign trail, saying he wanted to repair fraying ties with China, while also insisting he held a "very favourable impression of the Japanese people".

His approach to this diplomatic tightrope will have ramifications from Washington to Tokyo, as the US corrals its Indo-Pacific allies for support in its big-power competition with China.

Amid the diplomatic ambiguity, analysts in China were sanguine about Beijing-Seoul ties, while Japanese observers were more circumspect over bilateral relations.

In a congratulatory message to Mr Lee, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that he attaches "great importance" to China-South Korea relations.