South Korea’s President Calls for Peace Talks With North Korea

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for renewed dialogue with North Korea, urging both sides to pursue peaceful coexistence and work toward replacing the decades-old armistice with a lasting peace agreement. Speaking during a national address marking the anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Lee said the two Koreas should sit down together to build a path toward coexistence.

Call for Talks to Formally End Korean War

Lee urged dialogue involving North Korea and other relevant parties to bring a formal end to the Korean War, which was halted by a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty. He also suggested discussions could address ways to limit North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, while pledging that South Korea would take early and sustained steps to reduce tensions and build layered safeguards against potential escalation.

Relations Between the Koreas Remain Strained

Lee’s remarks build on his earlier pledge to respect North Korea’s political system while pursuing peaceful coexistence. Ties between the two nations remain frozen, with North Korea’s leader having abandoned reunification policy, labeling the South as a hostile state, and ordering stronger military defenses along the border. North Korea has rejected Seoul’s engagement efforts, criticized plans for nuclear powered submarines, and condemned joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States as provocative.

Looking Ahead With Japan

On relations with Japan, Lee said the two countries should acknowledge their shared history while focusing on the future, expressing hope for a renewed era of peace and cooperation between the neighboring nations.