New york: President Lee Jae Myung announced at the U.N. General Assembly that a "new" South Korea has fully rejoined the international community. This declaration comes after Lee's election in a snap vote following the political upheaval that led to the ousting of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee addressed the 80th session of the General Assembly, emphasizing South Korea's diplomatic resurgence. He highlighted the nation's commitment to democracy and its readiness to play a leading role on the global stage, benefiting from the support of the U.N.
Lee's speech also touched on the political recovery from a failed martial law attempt in December, marking it as a significant moment in South Korea's history. The president outlined a new dialogue initiative aimed at fostering peace on the Korean Peninsula through comprehensive talks focused on "exchange," "normalization," and "denuclearization."
Although details on the dialogue method were sparse, it is expected to form a core part of Seoul's strategy to encourage Pyongyang's denuclearization. Lee's administration aims to end the era of hostility on the peninsula and promote peaceful coexistence.
In a gesture towards North Korea, Lee assured respect for its current system and clarified that his government has no intentions of pursuing unification by absorption. He emphasized the importance of reducing military tensions and rebuilding inter-Korean trust, including halting propaganda efforts against the North.
Lee acknowledged the challenges of North Korea's denuclearization, advocating for a pragmatic, phased approach that begins with halting the advancement of nuclear capabilities and progresses toward dismantlement. This strategy, however, has been rejected by Pyongyang.
In his efforts to foster better inter-Korean relations, Lee also pledged cooperation with the international community, including the United States. During his recent summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Lee expressed a desire for Trump to act as a "peacemaker" while he serves as a "pacemaker."
Despite Pyongyang's rejection of Lee's peace gestures, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has shown willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. if certain demands are dropped. Lee's speech at the U.N. coincides with South Korea's current presidency of the U.N. Security Council. He vowed to enhance multilateral cooperation to tackle global challenges.
As Lee prepares to chair a Council debate on artificial intelligence, he stressed the importance of proactive responses to the AI era to prevent issues such as inequality and human rights abuses. South Korea plans to announce an "AI Initiative" at the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
On environmental issues, Lee committed South Korea to submit a new plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with a broader energy transition.