New york: President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday met with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and asked for the U.N.'s support for South Korea's vision to achieve North Korea's denuclearization through dialogue, the presidential office said. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly after Lee presented a dialogue initiative centered on "exchange," "normalization," and "denuclearization" to end confrontation and open a new era of peace on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee emphasized that peace and security on the Korean Peninsula are directly linked to global peace and security, and he requested the U.N.'s support in moving beyond conflict and confrontation toward dialogue and cooperation. Guterres praised the Lee administration's North Korea policy as a wise approach and pledged active U.N. support, while vowing to continue strengthening cooperation with Seoul.
During the talks, Lee expressed support for Guterres' U.N. reform agenda and pledged that South Korea will do its part to help the organization grow into a more effective and efficient body. He also highlighted South Korea's transformation from an aid recipient to a donor nation with the support of the U.N. and committed to taking on a greater role in addressing global challenges.
Guterres acknowledged South Korea's significant contributions, describing the country as a "trusted partner" in humanitarian aid, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), human rights, and responses to major issues such as Gaza and Ukraine.