Seoul, September 8 (Daily Kiran) : South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated on September 8 that his country aims to pursue lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and trust rather than escalating confrontation with North Korea. He emphasized the importance of maintaining strong military deterrence while keeping communication channels open.
In a video message for the opening ceremony of the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), President Lee highlighted South Korea‘s goal of achieving peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity with North Korea. He reiterated the necessity of dialogue as a means to foster this relationship.
Lee acknowledged the complex global security landscape, noting ongoing conflicts and armed struggles in various regions. He expressed concern over the weakening of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, which has historically supported international peace and stability.
He remarked, “Rapidly evolving technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are also creating new and unpredictable security threats. No single nation can adequately address these challenges alone.”
The president called for a new model of security cooperation that emphasizes robust deterrence, adherence to international norms, and collective resilience. His remarks come as South Korea supports efforts to resume dialogue among North Korea, South Korea, and the United States.
On the same day, South Korean Defense Minister An Gyu-baek expressed hope for renewed discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He affirmed that the South Korean military would back these diplomatic endeavors with its strong military capabilities.
In recent months, South Korea has taken several steps to reduce tensions with North Korea. On September 2, President Lee reiterated his commitment to establishing a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and promised to assist in resuming talks between North Korea and the U.S.
During a meeting of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council in Incheon, west of Seoul, Lee emphasized this commitment. On August 15, during Liberation Day, he proposed that both Koreas begin discussions to end their long-standing conflict and find practical ways to halt Pyongyang’s nuclear program. He also pledged to work towards establishing a peaceful order on the peninsula.
Technically, the two Koreas remain in a state of war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended only with an armistice, not a peace treaty. Lee stressed the need for a shift from a confrontation-based armistice to a peace regime grounded in cooperation and prosperity, to prevent renewed tensions due to changes in domestic politics or international conditions.
He described the ongoing energy wasted in unnecessary confrontations as a “unfortunate” and “tragic” reality that must be changed. Lee reiterated his three-point action plan for ensuring peaceful coexistence with North Korea, which he introduced during his Liberation Day speech, emphasizing an inclusive, stable, and responsible approach.
He stated, “For inclusive peaceful coexistence, both Koreas must respect each other. Peace begins when they acknowledge their differences, not when everyone thinks alike.” Lee underscored that the path to resuming dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. should be paved by Seoul, as his government seeks to mend the long-standing rift in inter-Korean relations and give new momentum to President Trump’s efforts with Pyongyang.
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