Seoul, Jan 16 (TIWN) Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, on Sunday said he will resume tourism to North Korea's Mount Kumgang as soon as possible if he's elected in the March 9 polls.

"I will pursue pragmatic diplomacy that goes beyond the logic of ideology and forced choices, putting our national interests first," Lee said during a press conference with foreign correspondents in Seoul.  Lee described himself as "pragmatist," vowing to be a president who tries to find the most pragmatic ways and move even a step forward to realize what people demand.  Lee said he will strengthen economic diplomacy for South Koreans and businesses, while further advancing the South Korea-U.S. alliance and strengthening future-oriented South Korea-China relations.  He noted that he will take bold actions to improve South Korea-Japan relations based on the joint declaration adopted by then South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and then Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi in 1998, which stated that the two countries need to face an unfortunate history with open hearts and build a relationship predicated on mutual understanding and trust.  Regarding the relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Lee said he would create "pragmatic relationship" that helps the economic development and support the livelihoods of the people of the two Koreas.