South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has officially proposed talks with North Korea to end the war. Although the conflict of the Korean War ceased with the 1953 armistice agreement, the two countries have not yet reached a formal peace treaty. Lee made this appeal in a speech commemorating the anniversary of liberation from Japanese colonial rule.
Lee Jae-myung stated that it is crucial to establish new security arrangements to reduce tensions in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of the Korean Peninsula. He also seeks direct discussions on halting North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. His goal is to lead the two countries towards peaceful coexistence and to move away from hostile policies against each other.
Since assuming the presidency of South Korea, Lee has taken initiatives to improve relations with North Korea and China. However, North Korea declared itself a nuclear-armed state in 2022 and has made its stance clear that it will not abandon its nuclear weapons.
Lee had previously stated that he would support any realistic agreement to temporarily halt North Korea’s nuclear weapons production.
Meanwhile, North Korea has not yet officially responded to Lee’s proposal. Instead, the country launched a new missile into the sea last Tuesday, ahead of upcoming joint military drills by the United States and South Korea. This marks North Korea’s 11th missile test this year.
Source: BBC
