Seoul, August 15: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has made a significant proposal for dialogue with North Korea. On Saturday, he suggested formally ending the long-standing war between the two nations and initiating discussions on practical ways to halt North Korea’s nuclear program. Lee emphasized his goal of establishing a permanent peace framework to replace the current unstable armistice on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee presented this proposal during a ceremony marking South Korea’s 81st Liberation Day. This day commemorates Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, which lasted from 1910 to 1945. The President urged both sides to abandon a threatening mindset and come to the negotiating table directly.
He stated that both Koreas could begin discussions as direct parties to end the war, and during this process, they could also explore effective methods to curb North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
The Korean War lasted from 1950 to 1953, resulting in an armistice agreement in 1953, but no formal peace treaty was signed. As a result, both countries are technically still in a state of war. Lee aims to transform this unstable armistice into a permanent peace arrangement.
The President expressed his intention to embark on this journey, seeking a path of peaceful coexistence rather than confrontation between the two nations. He reiterated that South Korea respects North Korea’s current system and does not aim for forced unification or any hostile actions.
Lee’s proposal is particularly significant as North Korea has not responded positively to previous reconciliation attempts by his administration. Nevertheless, South Korea remains committed to maintaining dialogue and a policy of peaceful coexistence with the North.
He emphasized the need for both countries to respect each other and reduce unnecessary confrontations. Lee specifically pointed out the importance of mitigating hostility present in both sides’ perceptions, rules, and systems.
North Korea’s nuclear program remains the biggest challenge to this initiative. Lee has advocated for phased discussions to halt North Korea’s nuclear program as part of his government’s broader policy. In July, he reiterated that South Korea would pursue peaceful coexistence alongside phased efforts for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
However, there have been no positive signals from Pyongyang regarding the dialogue. Therefore, the real impact of Lee’s initiative will depend on how North Korea responds to this proposal.
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