Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung announced his commitment to establishing lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation with North Korea. His statement was made on the seventh anniversary of an inter-Korean military agreement, which initially stopped hostile actions along the border.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee expressed his intentions in a Facebook post, emphasizing the government's role in restoring the spirit of the Sept. 19 military agreement. He stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation in achieving permanent peace, a goal he has pursued since taking office in June.
Lee highlighted the foundational role of peace in democracy and economic development, citing his decision to cease the use of loudspeakers and the distribution of propaganda leaflets as steps toward reducing tensions. Despite Pyongyang's dismissal of his peace efforts, Lee reiterated the three principles from his recent Liberation Speech: respecting North Korea's system, opposing unification by absorption, and refraining from hostile acts.
He also assured that the government would continue to protect residents in border areas from the adverse effects of military tensions, including economic instability and threats to democracy. Lee emphasized the commitment to addressing these challenges as a shared responsibility with the people.